IF anyone is to stop one of the Old Firm lifting the Scottish Cup, Hearts look the best-placed team, but they have to negotiate a potential banana skin at improving Hamilton Accies on Friday night first.
Robbie Neilson's side bounced back from a humiliating home thumping from Rangers last week where he got his tactics just about as wrong as it's possible to get them.
They didn't look at their best either when they were a goal down at home to struggling Dundee United on Saturday before the visitors were reduced to ten men and a late, late show saw them end up eventually winning 3-1.
With third place more or less in the bag, the Scottish Cup is a huge tournament for Hearts and there's no chance they won't take their visit to Lanarkshire seriously.
Accies looked like a doomed basketcase of a club and they still have major problems with their fans' displeasure at how the club has been run.
However, manager John Rankin has managed to bring in the likes of Dylan McGowan and Dylan Stephenson last month, although Hearts loanee Connor Smith can't play.
They are now unbeaten in their last five games, eliminated Premiership side Ross County in penalties in the Cup and won at Partick Thistle and drew with in-form Dundee.
How the bookies view it
Hearts can be backed at 1/2 with McBookie.com but are as short as 2/5 in places.
Hamilton are available at 6/1 with Coral, with the draw 16/5 with bet365.
Recent head to heads
Hearts have a poor recent record against Accies. They have failed to beat them in the last four meetings between the sides.
Players to watch
Hamilton have taken exciting Newcastle United prospect Dylan Stephenson on loan and he immediately made his mark by netting the only goal of the game on his debut at Firhill against Partick Thistle.
Lawrence Shankland will be Hearts' main goal threat as usual, but it will be interesting to see the prices when they come out on another goal from Stephen Humphrys after his sensational strike from inside his own half last weekend against Dundee United.
Anything else catch the eye?
Accies may be bottom of the Championship, but they seem to have got their act together recently and it could be a struggle for Hearts on the New Douglas Park artificial playing surface.
The hosts may be able to keep this tight and should certainly give the Jambos a real game. They've only conceded one goal in their last four games and it could pay to back a Hearts win and under 2.5 goals at 13/5 with McBookie.com.
Going down a similar route, McBookie.com's Hearts to win by one goal at 5/2 looks a fair price as well.
This Scottish Cup match between Hamilton Accies and Hearts will be played on Feb 10, 2023 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Hamilton Accies vs Hearts prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
