HEARTS' shambolic season plunged new depths at the weekend when they somehow managed to lose two goals in three minutes from the 97th minute at Ross County to drop two points.
And they welcome a Motherwell side as first footers who could feel highly aggrieved at the goals disallowed against Rangers in a 2-2 draw at home.
There's plenty of angry punters around Gorgie way at the direction their club is being run and managed and that's seeped into the players' performances in a dismal campaign so far.
Thanks to St Johnstone, they remain off the bottom, but that's hardly a ringing endorsement for a club who have publicly stated their ultimate ambition is to challenge the Old Firm.
Their only crumb of comfort is they are marginally better at Tynecastle than on their travels and have won three times.
Motherwell have genuine hopes of a European spot and currently sit in the top six and are ten points ahead of Hearts.
They are winless in three but have played Celtic and Rangers on that run. They are a tough team to call on the road – they have won at St Mirren and Dundee United, but lost at Ross County and Dundee.
How the bookies view it: Hearts still favourites
Hearts are odds-on across the board with Boylesports at 8/11. The same firm have Motherwell at 16/5 and the draw at 5/2.
Recent head to heads: Well draw first blood
Motherwell eased to a 3-1 win against the Jambos in their only meeting so far this season in August in Lanarkshire. Last season, there was a win apiece at Tynecastle.
Players to watch: Young gun Wilson a kid to watch
James Wilson has made quite the impact for Hearts and the 17-year-old has been the one shining light in a grim season. He netted a double in Dingwall at the weekend and he is 21/10 to score anytime with bet365.
Apostolos Stamatelopoulos hasn't got the snappiest of names but the Aussie has scored five goals in his last six games and is a threat. He is 29/10 with UniBet.
Predicted line-ups:
Hearts will make a decision on skipper Lawrence Shankland who missed the Ross County game with a calf issue. Cammy Devlin returns from suspension.
Motherwell are missing the injured trio of Callum Slattery, Jack Vale and Ross Callachan
Hearts: Gordon, Forrester, Oyegoke, Rowles, Penrice, Devlin, Baningime, Grant, Spittal, Wilson, Shankland.
Motherwell: Oxborough, Kaleta, Casey, Gordon, Blaney, Wilson, Paton, Halliday, Miller, Maswanhise, Stamatelopoulous.
Anything else catch the eye?
Despite the temptation to back the visitors at a big price given they are ten points ahead of their hosts, the call here is a draw.
Hearts are better at home and Well are inconsistent as stated, so both sides could easily cancel each other out.
There's often bad blood between the sides and they were five bookings in the first meeting. Don't be surprised if there is still a bit of needle and punters should back over 4.5 cards at 10/11 with bet365.
This Scottish Premiership match between Hearts and Motherwell will be played on Jan 2, 2025 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Hearts vs Motherwell prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
