Two teams aiming to push into the top six of the Scottish Premiership will clash on Saturday afternoon as Hearts host Ross County at Tynecastle Park.
The hosts are seventh in the table, just one point outside the top six, while the visitors are eighth and two points behind sixth-placed Motherwell.
Match preview
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Hearts faced an extremely challenging start to the 2024-25 season, failing to win any of their opening 10 matches across all competitions, a streak that saw them crash out of both the Scottish League Cup and Europa League.
Steven Naismith was sacked during that run, with Neil Critchley eventually being appointed as the new manager, and the former Blackpool boss has significantly improved their fortunes.
Critchley has led the Jambos to 14 wins, five draws and 10 defeats from his first 29 games in charge, guiding them up the table and into seventh place, while they are also into the semi-finals of the Scottish FA Cup.
Hearts now trail the top six by only one point, meaning a victory on Saturday could see them move above Motherwell, while a defeat could see them fall down to ninth depending on results elsewhere.
The hosts will, however, face a tough test as they come up against fellow top-six contenders Ross County, who are just one point behind the Jambos in eighth place.
Ross County have endured similarly difficult periods throughout this season, including a dismal opening to the Scottish Premiership that saw the Staggies win just three of their first 18 league fixtures.
Don Cowie's men have been significantly improved in the 11 league outings since, securing six wins, two draws and suffering only three defeats, results that have seen them rise up the league standings.
The Staggies now find themselves placed eighth in the Scottish Premiership, a healthy seven points above 11th-placed Dundee, while they trail sixth-placed Motherwell by just two points.
A victory could see the visitors leapfrog both Hearts and Motherwell into sixth place, while a loss could see them fall into ninth, leaving Cowie eager for his side to continue their recent strong form.
Team News
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The hosts are likely to be without the services of Cameron Devlin (concussion), Craig Halkett (hamstring), Frankie Kent (muscle) and Stephen Kingsley (hamstring) due to injury issues.
Sander Erik Kartum scored twice for Hearts in their 3-1 Scottish FA Cup triumph over Dundee, and the midfielder may be rewarded with just his second league start since joining in January as a result.
Elsewhere, James Wilson may come back into the side to partner Elton Kabangu in attack, with Lawrence Shankland operating just behind in the number 10 position.
As for Ross County, Michee Efete (Achilles tendon), Ryan Leak (Achilles tendon) and Will Nightingale (unspecified) are all ruled out of this match due to injuries.
Kieran Phillips has impressed since joining the Staggies in January, scoring two goals in his last three league appearances, and the striker is expected to keep his place in attack here.
Hearts possible starting lineup:
Gordon; Taylor, Steinwender, McCart, Penrice; Kartum, Baningime, Spittal; Shankland; Kabangu, Wilson
Ross County possible starting lineup:
Amissah; Tomkinson, Lopata, Campbell; Wright, Randall, Nisbet, Ashworth; Chilvers; White, Phillips
We say: Hearts 2-1 Ross County
Both teams are coming into this matchup in strong form, but with Hearts unbeaten in their last six home meetings against Ross County, winning three and drawing three, we back the hosts to secure a victory here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
