HEARTS return to European football on Thursday after a six-year absence on Thursday when they travel to Switzerland to face FC Zurich.
In 2016, the Jambos were humiliated by Maltese minnows Birkirkara and haven't been seen since. On the face of it, a Europa League play-off against the Swiss champions would usually be an exceptionally tough ask, but there's plenty in their favour.
FC Zurich have already been dumped out of the Champions League this season by Qarabag, but at least recovered to easily brush aside the challenge of Linfield in the last round.
However, their defence of the Swiss League could hardly have started in worse fashion. They've played five games and only scored their first goal in their last game in the weekend at FC Winterthur with five minutes left. They have collected two points from a possible 15 and are bottom of the league – this from a side who won the title by 14 points last season.
New manager Franco Foda was surely lucky to pick up a job at a relatively big club given the complete hash he made of Austria where he led them to a fourth place finish in their World Cup group – seven points behind Scotland.
Hearts should be full of confidence going into this after a 4-1 hammering of European embarrassments Dundee United at the weekend and they really should have collected nine points out of nine in the league if it hadn't been for that injury time disaster at Hibs.
How the bookies view it
Zurich are odds-on across the board and are 5/6 with Coral as a best price. Hearts can be backed at 18/5 with UniBet and that may attract some cash. The draw is 13/5 with bet365.
Players to watch
Former Schalke striker Donis Avdijaj had a disastrous spell at Hearts as a player but netted a double in the last round at home to Linfield and will be desperate to prove a point to his old employers. He is 9/4 with bet365 to score.
Hearts' summer signing of Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland is already looking like an inspired piece of business and if the Scots are to score, he's likely to be the man at 21/10 with bet365.
Anything else catch the eye?
Providing Hearts play their usual game, there is something here for them against a side who must be badly lacking in confidence given their awful start to their domestic season.
Zurich have also lost home advantage because of a gig at their ground and the game will be played in St Gallen. Hearts look a great shout on the double chance market at evens with SportNation.
If Hearts can get Barrie McKay on the ball, he should be able to provide ammunition for Shankland, who could very well score here.
Of course, there is always that worry that a non-Old Firm Scottish team could soil their sheets away from home as Motherwell and Dundee United have illustrated but Hearts are far better than them and could make a fast start as they did against United on Sunday. They are 13/8 to score in the first half with bet365.
This UEFA Europa League match between FC Zurich and Hearts will be played on Aug 18, 2022 and kick off at 18:00. Check below for our tipsters best FC Zurich vs Hearts prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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