The Hibees take on Hearts on Saturday in the final match before the split, knowing that a win will guarantee us a place inside the top six.
Anything less than a win means we will be relying on results going in our favour elsewhere across the weekend, with seven clubs fighting for three positions available.
Speaking to Hibs TV ahead of the fixture, Paul insisted he and his teammates were going to Tynecastle to win.
"There is a general feeling of excitement around the place and amongst the squad that has been building all week towards Saturday.
"We know that our fate is still in our hands and we've got a chance to finish in the top six, which is where a Club like ours should be.
"We all understand how big this game is at the weekend, Edinburgh Derbies are always big but especially this weekend. We need to win to secure that top six place and we're going there looking to do that."
Paul was forced to watch from the sidelines at the last Edinburgh Derby due to a foot injury he suffered in January. The Hibs captain was out for two months but returned in March and is excited to be back fully fit.
"My injury was obviously disappointing and it probably took a bit longer than I was expecting to heal. But, I am here now and delighted to be back in the team.
"You probably don’t realise how much you appreciate playing every week until you're sitting in the stand. You are sitting there helpless and desperate for the boys to do well.
"I’ve worked hard in the gym and kept myself quite fit. I felt good in the Dundee United match so I'm raring to go now for the weekend."
The centre-half has managed 35 Edinburgh Derby appearances so far and is expecting his 36th to be just as frantic as those previous.
"At Tynecastle the pitch is quite tight and the game can kind of go end-to-end pretty quickly, so it all comes down to what you do in both boxes really.
"We need to be ruthless and strong in our box, and we need to make sure we are clinical at the other end.
"There are a few lads who haven't experienced the derby before so in the lead up to the match the senior players will make sure that everyone understands what they are walking into.
"It's going to be a frantic first 10 or 15 minutes of the match, it always is. But, everyone is going to be prepared, ready and knows exactly what to expect on Saturday."
Watch the full interview here!