Hibs & Hearts in fine form ahead of city derby live on BBC

Grant Scott and Eva Olid are seeing the fruits of summer squad changes

Hibernian sit above Celtic after holding the reigning Scottish champions to a draw last week. Both they and Heart of Midlothian lead 16-time winners Glasgow City.

Women's football in Edinburgh is threatening a revival heading into Friday's first derby of the season at Easter Road - a match being shown live on the BBC Sport website, iPlayer and app.

The hosts finished fifth last season, a place behind Hearts, but currently lie second, two points behind Rangers and remain unbeaten after the goalless draw at Excelsior Stadium that keeps them ahead of Celtic on goal difference.

Hearts sit one point further back, their only defeat coming courtesy of a late City winner in Glasgow last month.

Rejigged squads have produced some impressive statistics at both ends of the park for the capital sides.

Hibs have scored 20 goals and conceded just one. Hearts have scored 31 for the loss of only four.

Eight points separated them at the end of the last campaign, but early form suggests it could be closer this time - not only between the two city rivals but also with the big three from Glasgow.

Will former Hearts trio shine for Hibs?

Kathleen McGovern switched from Hearts to Hibs this summer

Hibs poached striker Kathleen McGovern and midfielder Ciara Grant from Hearts this summer, while midfielder Naomi Powell went the other way.

Among other notable Hibs additions, Kirsten Reilly, who has also played for Hearts and Rangers, headed back to her former club from Crystal Palace, fellow midfielder Linzi Taylor made the step up to full-time football from Partick Thistle, while defender Stacey Papadopoulos was brought in from Australian club Western United.

All have had an impact, with McGovern scoring six goals in five games, Taylor offering up two goals and an assist, while Papadopoulos has also found the back of the net.

Head coach Grant Scott hopes those summer changes will tip the balance in his side's favour.

"Last year, we were always nip and tuck in terms of league positions, number of goals scored, conceded," Scott said. "It was all very close.

"In the end, they accumulated more points than us, but that's what it is at times.

"Going into the game, I expect them to be confident, but so are we and I expect it to be a level game."

Hearts healing from City 'hurt'

Hearts' only defeat this season followed a late Glasgow City winner

Hearts counterpart Eva Olid has also been busy over the summer, including the acquisition of last season's Scottish Women's Premier League top scorer Bayley Hutchison along with two of her former Aberdeen team-mates - defender Jess Broadrick and midfielder Eilidh Shore.

The arrival of Northern Ireland midfielder Lauren Wade from Reading and forward Jackie Richards from Villanova Wildcats American University has also bolstered their attacking threat and has Olid suggesting "the team is in a good shape".

"With 11 signings, everything is new and you need time to adapt to each other," she added. "But I think they have adapted so quick.

"We still have things to improve, but we have had a good start. We were frustrated we didn't get any points against Glasgow City and that hurt us a lot.

"We are demanding of ourselves and are ambitious, but we are learning a lot and that will help us in the following matches."