SM
Inter Milan vs. Como: 11 hrs 36 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
HL
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 8
Oct 2, 2021 at 3pm UK
Tynecastle
ML

Hearts
2 - 0
Motherwell

Boyce (5' pen.), Kingsley (22')
Devlin (43'), Moore (75'), Baningime (83')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Ojala (11'), Grimshaw (18'), McGinley (90+2')

Preview: Hearts vs. Motherwell - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Hearts vs. Motherwell - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Saturday's Scottish Premiership clash between Hearts and Motherwell, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Hearts will be looking to keep their undefeated start to the season going this Saturday, in a game that has the potential to see both teams go top of the Scottish Premiership.

Motherwell sit just one point behind them and they will travel to Tynecastle Park aiming to continue their five-match unbeaten streak, with both squads high on confidence.


Match preview

Hearts are currently one of only two undefeated teams in the league, which is a record they will want to continue, as they have proven themselves more than capable of playing in the top flight following promotion last season.

Sitting just a point behind both Hibernian and Rangers, the Jambos have shown that they are going to be a threat, and with the possibility of climbing to the top of the league this weekend, the squad will have plenty of motivation.

Of course, a loss would see them slip down as Motherwell are currently just a place below them, which means there is plenty on the line in this particular match.

Robbie Neilson's team got back to winning ways at the weekend following consecutive draws, with Hearts managing to comfortably defeat Livingston.

Goals from Michael Smith and Alex Cochrane added to the penalty scored by in-form striker Liam Boyce to round up a 3-0 win, showcasing real dominance with 73% of the possession throughout the match.

However, Motherwell will likely provide a much sterner test at the weekend as Graham Alexander continues to push his squad to progress.

They are also on a brilliant run at the moment, as they have a five-game unbeaten streak heading into this particular match which they will want to extend.

The Steelmen could also finish the weekend as the league leaders, but they will not want to leave things as late as they did against Ross County in their previous outing.

Despite taking the lead in the second minute of the game via Callum Slattery, an equaliser from the Staggies caused problems for Alexander's men, until Tony Watt found the back of the net towards the final whistle.

This was his fourth goal of the season which makes him the third top goal scorer in the entire league - although, Boyce does find himself one place higher, with five for Hearts.

With each team having real danger men and plenty of momentum behind them, it is going to be a closely contested fixture that could be end-to-end.

However, it is the Jambos that have the slight edge when it comes to defensive qualities as they have conceded one fewer than the visitors, which could be put to the test.

Hearts Scottish Premiership form:
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • W

Hearts form (all competitions):
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • W

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W

Motherwell form (all competitions):
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W

Team News

Hearts decided to revert to the 3-4-3 formation at the weekend, and considering it led to a strong victory there is a good chance that Neilson will continue that again on Saturday.

The change in formation saw Smith return to play at right-wing-back, which worked wonders as he found the back of the net in the game, proving to be a great attacking threat.

Cammy Devlin made his first start in central midfield for the Jambos, while there was no place in the squad for Josh Ginnelly, but that was not down to fitness issues.

The only player who did have an injury at the weekend was John Souttar, although this was only a minor problem, which could result in him being available for selection this weekend.

Sondre Johansen was not fit enough to feature against Ross County, and there are question marks over whether he will be available on Saturday.

Alexander opted to play Ricki Lamie as his central defender at the weekend, with Bevis Mugabi coming out of the starting XI, and the manager now has a difficult decision to make.

Hearts possible starting lineup:
Gordon; Moore, Halkett, Kingsley; Smith, Cochrane, Devlin, Bangingime; McKay, Boyce, Woodburn

Motherwell possible starting lineup:
Kelly; O'Donnell, Lamie, Ojala, McGinley; Grimshaw, Slattery, O'Hara; Woolery, Van Veen, Watt


We say: Hearts 2-2 Motherwell

Two of the best attacking teams in the league who are in fantastic form, colliding in a crucial league game is bound to lead to goals taking place on Saturday.

However, considering how strong both squads have proven to be, this match could see them end up sharing the points in what will likely be a very close encounter.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data



body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__466033 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-06-05 12:52:37:
html db last update - 2024-06-05 12:52:37 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Robbie Neilson hails his side's summer recruits after Hearts brush aside Livington
Man United's Marcus Rashford replacement likely to leave the club in January?
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1614204444044
2RangersRangers1611232891935
3Aberdeen17104331211034
4Motherwell178272327-426
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd176742519625
6St Mirren187382429-524
7Dundee175482730-319
8Hibernian184682430-618
9Kilmarnock184681935-1618
10Hearts1844102027-716
11Ross County183691435-2115
12St Johnstone1842122134-1314
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Monday's Serie A predictions including Inter Milan vs. Como

1

MS

Monday's Turkish Super Lig predictions including Istanbul Basaksehir vs. Kasimpasa

2

MT

Quartet walking suspension tightrope: Liverpool injury list for Leicester clash

NEW

3

QW

Monday's Transfer Talk Update: Rashford, Ronaldo, Kudus

NEW

4

MT

Monday's Primeira Liga predictions including Benfica vs. Estoril

5

MP

Pep Guardiola to dig into war chest and sign £80m rated attacker for Man City?

6

PG

Man United's Marcus Rashford replacement likely to leave the club in January?

7

MU

Two Arsenal, two Liverpool: Sports Mole's Premier League Team of the Week

8

TA

Amorim Vs Arteta: Manchester United to battle Arsenal for star forward?

9

AV

'Everton draw better than Brentford win': Maresca delighted with Toffees stalemate

10

'D


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .