HEARTS have put aside a disastrous domestic season so far to excel in the Europa Conference League group stages, but they face their toughest test yet on Thursday against Bundesliga side Heidenheim.
The Jambos currently sit one point off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership – ahead of rivals Hibs – after an inexplicably poor start to their campaign.
It cost previous manager Steven Naismith his job and replacement Neil Critchley has certainly improved them after three wins out of five.
One of them was in their last game in Europe against Omonia Nicosia and they also won their other group game in Belarusian side Dinamo Minsk in a match played in Azerbaijan
But this will be a new level against a German side that perhaps not too many Hearts fans will be familiar with.
Heidenheim were only promoted to Germany's top flight for the first time last year and more than held their own with an impressive eighth place finish, which got them into Europe for the first time.
This season, Frank Schmidt's side are currently 12th although they haven't won a league game since beating Mainz in September.
But like Hearts, they have excelled in this competition with wins against Olimpija Ljubljana and Pafos.
How the bookies view it: Hearts broken
Hearts are outsiders on their own patch and can be backed at 27/10 with bet365.
Heidenheim are hovering around the evens mark with Betfred, although they are mostly marginally odds-on. The draw is 5/2 with William Hill.
Recent head to heads: First ever meeting
Heidenheim only played their first European tie this season so this is their first ever clash.
Players to watch: Marvellous Marvin
Kenneth Vargas enjoyed a good first season at Hearts last term and the Costa Rican international was the hero on Saturday with the winner against St Johnstone in Perth. He is 10/3 to score anytime with bet365.
Marvin Pieringer is the top scorer for the German side this season in the league and the former Schalke striker is 12/5 to score anytime with the same firm.
Predicted line-ups:
Hearts are set to be without Yutaro Oda, Gerald Taylor and Calem Nieuwenhof.
Heidenheim could be missing injured trio Luka Janes, Thomas Keller and Julian Niehues.
Hearts: Gordon, Kent, Rowles, Oyegoke, Penrice, Boeteng, Baningime, Spittal, Dhanda, Vargas, Shankland.
Heidenheim: Miller, Traore, Mainka, Gimber, Fohrenbach, Dorsch, Maloney, Schoppner; Wanner, Pieringer, Scienza.
Anything else catch the eye?
Both sides can be pleased with their work in the new-look format of the competition this season and they may settle for a draw at Tynecastle – a result that would probably suit both sides.
Hearts are improving under their new manager and Heidenheim are scratching for form domestically and that, coupled with home advantage for the Scots and a raucous Gorgie atmosphere could even out the obvious gap in standards between the Scottish Premiership and the Bundesliga.
Hearts and Heidenheim have struggled for goals this season, with Hearts skipper Lawrence Shankland badly off-form and the visitors managing just two goals in their last four games.
Go for under 2.5 goals at 17/20 with bet365.
This UEFA Europa League Conference match between Hearts and Heidenheim will be played on Nov 7, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Hearts vs Heidenheim prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
