Scottish Championship team Falkirk are set to take on Premiership side Hearts at the Falkirk Community Stadium in the second round of the Scottish League Cup on Saturday.

The hosts progressed through Group B with three wins and one loss, while the visitors enter at this stage after qualifying for the Europa League last year.

Match preview

Hearts manager Steven Naismith on August 3, 2024 © Reuters

Following their relegation from the Scottish Premiership in 2009-10, Falkirk found themselves competing in the Championship until a second relegation in 2018-19.

Falkirk were consistently battling for promotion back into the second division during their time in League One, falling to defeat in the playoffs in three of their five seasons in the league.

They were eventually promoted as champions of the league last season, recording an unbeaten season with 27 wins and nine draws from 36 fixtures, booking their return to the Championship after a five-year absence.

John McGlynn's side have enjoyed a brilliant start in their return to the second division, winning each of their first two matches against Queen's Park and Dunfermline Athletic, while also being victorious in three of their four Scottish League Cup fixtures.

Saturday's opponents are likely to be the toughest test of their season so far, but McGlynn will be hoping his side can progress through the challenge and cause a surprise upset.

Hearts are coming into this game having enjoyed a stellar three seasons since they booked their place back in the Premiership as champions of the second tier in 2020-21.

The Jambos finished third in their first term back in the top flight in 2021-22, followed by a fourth-place finish in 2022-23 and third-place in 2023-24.

Steven Naismith's men did face difficulties at the end of last term, winning just one of their five post-split season matches, and they have since lost both of their pre-season friendlies and failed to win in their opening two league matches.

Naismith will be hoping that Saturday's match against lower-league opposition will provide his team with the opportunity to pick up a confidence-boosting victory to build upon for the remainder of the campaign.

Falkirk Scottish League Cup form:

Falkirk form (all competitions):

Hearts form (all competitions):

Team News

Hearts' Kenneth Vargas in action on August 3, 2024 © Imago

Falkirk have a full squad to choose from after avoiding any injury concerns in recent weeks, and McGlynn is likely to name a strong side as he aims for a surprise victory against Premiership opposition.

Ross MacIver has started every game for the hosts so far this season, with the striker already netting two goals, and he is likely to lead the line again here.

As for Hearts, Beni Baningime and Calem Nieuwenhof will both remain absent from this match due to injuries that have kept them out of the side for an extended period.

Lawrence Shankland scored an incredible 31 goals in 47 appearances across all competitions last season, and the striker will be looking to score his first of the 2024-25 campaign in this one.

Falkirk possible starting lineup:
Hogarth; Adams, Donaldson, Henderson, Mackie; Spencer, Tait; Morrison, Oliver, Miller; MacIver

Hearts possible starting lineup:
Clark; Oyegoke, Kent, Rowles; Taylor, Devlin, Grant, Penrice; McKay, Vargas; Shankland

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We say: Falkirk 1-2 Hearts

The hosts may have already defeated Scottish Premiership opposition this season, beating Dundee United 2-0 in the Scottish League Cup group stage, but the visitors possess more quality throughout their ranks and should secure the victory here.

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