Probable Lineups

3-4-3
3-5-2
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Probable Lineups Statistical Comparison

(43) 30 Goals 35 (41)
(30) 16 Assists 23 (26)
(6.5) 6.7 Average Ratings 6.8 (6.5)
25.8 Average Age 27.3
181.3 Average Height (cm) 182.8
(0.8) 1 Shots pg 1.2 (0.8)
(47%) 42% Aerial Duel Success 50% (51%)
(0.6) 0.5 Dribbles pg 0.5 (0.6)
(1.1) 1 Tackles pg 0.9 (1.1)
* Values in brackets (x) are overall player statistics in Premiership.

Missing Players

Hearts
Kilmarnock
Player Reason Status Rating
Craig Halkett Doubtful 6.5
Liam Boyce Doubtful 6.51
Peter Haring Doubtful 6.76
Barrie McKay Doubtful 6.25
Frankie Kent Doubtful 7.18
Calem Nieuwenhof Doubtful 6.59
Player Reason Status Rating
Kyle Magennis Doubtful 6.4
Brad Lyons Doubtful 6.93

Team News

Hearts
Kilmarnock
  • Hearts boss Steven Naismith made four changes after progressing to the Scottish Cup semi-finals with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Morton in Greenock, before they lost 2-1 to Ross County in the Highlands before the international break.
  • Zander Clark came back in between the sticks, replacing Craig Gordon. Nathaniel Atkinson took Dexter Lembikisa's place at right wing-back. Alex Cochrane started at Jorge Grant's expense to enter the Jambos' four-man midfield at left wing-back.
  • Aidan Denholm joined Beni Baningime in midfield, as Cammy Devlin made way. Yutaro Oda came off the bench to score a consolation goal against the Staggies, as Alan Forrest and Kenneth Vargas supported Lawrence Shankland in attack.
  • Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes named one change to the Killie team that was knocked out of the Scottish Cup losing 3-1 to Aberdeen at Pittodrie, before a phenomenal 5-2 comeback against St Mirren prior to the international break.
  • Will Dennis continued in goal with Joe Wright, Stuart Findlay and Robbie Deas in front of him. David Watson, Liam Donnelly and Liam Polworth remained in the midfield, with Danny Armstrong starting on the right hand-side.
  • The only alteration came on the left flank, as Matty Kennedy took Corrie Ndaba's place. Club captain Kyle Vassell - who scored the first of five goals in 18 minutes - started in attack alongside Marley Watkins against Saints in Ayrshire.

Prediction

  • Third meets fourth, as Hearts host Kilmarnock at Tynecastle as two of the top four meet upon the Scottish Premiership's return this weekend.
  • Hearts fell to defeat away to Ross County before the international break, losing a league match in Dingwall for the first time since September 2013 after going unbeaten in the 11 meetings in the Highlands since. The Jambos' longest unbeaten run against any opponent in the Scottish Premiership this century has come to an end, and they'll hope to bounce back with a win this weekend.
  • Kilmarnock looked as though they were heading for back-to-back Scottish Premiership defeats at Rugby Park for the first time since February 2021. After a stunning comeback against St Mirren, they are now unbeaten in their last six league meetings with the Buddies and leapfrogged Saints into fourth place in the process. They could move within eight points of Hearts with another win.
  • The Jambos have won twice at Rugby Park this season, in both the Scottish Premiership and Scottish League Cup, but the Jambos will want a home victory to add to the two away wins given Killie held Hearts at Tynecastle back in August.
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