Hibs sit fifth, 19 points behind Hearts. David Gray’s side are in a tussle with Motherwell to finish fourth, which would guarantee a place in the Conference League qualifiers.
Making up points in that mini-race is likely to be an afterthought for most supporters at the weekend, though.
When Hearts suffered final-day heartache in 1986, losing out on goal difference to Celtic, a meagre crowd at Easter Road celebrated wildly as their team fell 2-1 to Dundee United and finished eighth in a 10-team division.
Albert Kidd scored both Dundee goals that day as Hearts faltered and a decade later received the player of year accolade from a Hibs’ supporters group in Australia.
“If we can put a bee in their bonnet and stop them from doing what they want to do, then that is what we want to do, naturally,” Hibs defender Warren O’Hora said last week, politely picking his words.
Hearts will cross the city having picked up just one point from their past four games on the road.
Hibs won the last derby on their own patch, a 3-2 thriller in December, when they spurned a chance to go 4-0 up early in the second half and ended up clinging on.
Gray’s side were unbeaten at home in the derby last season, with a win and a draw, while Hearts have been victorious in only one of their past seven league visits.
“Sunday is a big one,” Murray added. “That is Hibs’ chance to dent their hopes. I hope Hibs win that, obviously.”
