Hearts vs. Hibs is a fixture that never fails to capture the imagination of Scottish football fans. Often a match full of passion, excitement and drama, it's also liable to produce a wonder-goal or two for good measure.

When the two meet in the cup, the knockout format adds an extra dimension to the match-up and that will be no different when the two sides face off in the Fifth Round of the Scottish Cup at Tynecastle on Sunday.

With an expected sell-out crowd, it's certainly the most intriguing fixture of the round and one that all eyes will be on.

An interesting tactical battle will take place with rookie manager Ian Cathro taking on Neil Lennon, a man with years' more experience both as a player and as a manager.

Cathro has had a mixed start as Hearts boss, initially finding results hard to come by. In recent weeks his side have flourished and impressive back-to-back victories against Rangers and Motherwell have Jambos fans dreaming of good times ahead.

For Lennon? It's a chance to pick up a massive derby victory in his first crack at Hearts and continue Hibs' defence of the Scottish Cup that they treasure so much.

Where will the match be won and lost?

These are the THREE key battles on the pitch on Sunday...

Aaron Hughes vs. Jason Cummings

Jason Cummings has scored in his last four Edinburgh derbies, the first time a Hibs player has done that since 1974. It's a remarkable feat and he'll fancy his chances of making it five given his form this season.

Hibs' top scorer this term, he has six goals in his last six appearances, including a double in the last round, at Tynecastle against junior side Bonnyrigg Rose. The hosts on Sunday will be a lot tougher but if Hibs are to get a result, it'll likely come through this man.

The task of stopping him will fall to former Newcastle and Fulham man Aaron Hughes, a January signing for Ian Cathro.

With 17 years of experience in the English Premier League, two in the Championship and over 100 caps for his country, the Northern Irishman has a vast bank of footballing knowledge to help counteract the young Hibs upstart. Despite his advancing years, he's looked a solid choice so far but in the high tempo nature of an Edinburgh Derby, can he remain as calm and collected as ever?

Jamie Walker vs. David Gray

Jamie Walker has been a Scottish Premiership sensation this season, scoring 14 goals in all competitions so far, one of the best records in the entire division.

Perhaps his most notable performance so far was his wonderful double against Rangers at Tynecastle last week, giving Ian Cathro the first big win since joining the club.

After game Cathro singled him out and tipped him to become a future Scotland international and to have a career down in England.

Quoted by The Daily Record, Cathro said:

"He’s a talent. He feels the game, he understands it. He just knows. He feels when somebody is coming in or this space opens or closes. He just feels football."

High praise indeed. That's all well in good but in David Gray, Hibernian have found a Scottish Cup folk hero - It was his last-minute header that gave Hibs their first Scottish Cup win in 114 years. The Cabbage's captain will face one of his toughest tests of the season so far on Sunday but who'd bet against him putting in another winning performance?

Esmael Goncalves vs. Darren McGregor

Esmael Goncalves is a new arrival at Hearts but has already proven to be a key missing part of the Jambos' performances this season. They've been crying out for an effective presence through the middle in the final third and his showings against Rangers and Motherwell suggest he'll be very effective indeed.

He scored a double against Motherwell at the weekend and led the line superbly against Mark Warburton's side at Tynecastle last week. He now has the opportunity to make himself a real hero with the Hearts supporters by scoring against their city rivals.

He'll be up against a very consistent Hibernian defence, a defence, in fact, that is the stingiest in British league football. They've conceded just twelve goals in 23 league matches this term.

At the heart of that has been the popular Darren McGregor, a former team-mate of Goncalves' at St Mirren in 2013. The two didn't play together due to severe injury suffered by McGregor but he'll know all about the ability the Hearts striker possesses.

It promises to be just one of a number of very interesting match-ups on Sunday.