Hearts will look to continue their recent improved run of form when they host Kilmarnock at Tynecastle Park on Saturday afternoon in the Scottish Premiership.
The hosts are 11th in the table with 24 points from 23 outings, while the visitors are ninth in the standings with 25 points from their 23 fixtures.
Match preview
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After an extremely challenging and underwhelming start to the 2024-25 season, Hearts have enjoyed a significantly improved run of results in recent weeks.
The Jambos came into the campaign on the back of third-placed finishes in 2021-22 and 2023-24 and a fourth-placed finish in 2022-23, but after 23 matches of this term, they sit 11th in the standings.
That is largely due to their dismal start to the season, which saw Hearts fail to win any of their first 10 games across all competitions, as well as their first eight league fixtures, suffering six defeats and two draws.
Steven Naismith was sacked as a result of this run, with Neil Critchley eventually hired as the new permanent boss, and the Jambos have been significantly improved since that appointment.
Hearts won their first two games and drew their third under Critchley, before managing just two wins in the following 11, alongside two draws and seven defeats.
However, they are now heading into this one having won four, drawn two and lost just one of their last seven, including remaining undefeated in their past five across all competitions.
While they still remain in the bottom two of the league standings, Hearts could leapfrog their opponents and move as high as seventh in the table if they secure all three points on Saturday.
As for Kilmarnock, they are heading into this one sat ninth in the table after six wins, seven draws and 10 defeats in their 23 Scottish Premiership fixtures.
Their place in the table sums up the inconsistencies they have endured throughout the campaign, only managing to put together back-to-back wins on a single occasion in October.
Derek McInnes's men are heading into this one having won three of their past eight matches across all competitions, but Killie have failed to win any of their last three, with two losses and one draw.
They have, however, enjoyed their recent meetings with the Jambos, having won each of the last two encounters and remaining undefeated in the past four clashes, something Killie will draw confidence from heading into this one.
Team News
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Calem Nieuwenhof (hamstring), Frankie Kent (muscle), Lawrence Shankland (calf) and Stephen Kingsley (hamstring) are all ruled out of this match due to injury issues.
Having enjoyed a recent run of three wins and two draws in their last five, Critchley could decide to keep faith in his side and name a similar starting 11 in this one.
As for Kilmarnock, Kyle Vassell is out until February with a shin injury, while Stuart Findlay is also out of action until early next month due to an ankle issue.
Bruce Anderson has been a key player for Killie this season, their top scorer with eight league goals, and he is likely to come back into the starting side after starting from the bench in the last two outings.
Hearts possible starting lineup:
Gordon; Oyegoke, Halkett, Rowles, Penrice; Devlin, Baningime; Drammeh, Grant, Spittal; Wilson
Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
McCrorie; Mayo, Wright, Deas, Ndaba; Murray, Lyons, Polworth, Wales; Magennis, Anderson
We say: Hearts 2-0 Kilmarnock
Hearts are coming into this one in much greater form than their opposition, remaining undefeated in their last five, and we expect that streak to continue with a win here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
