HEARTS entertain Rangers in a huge test of new manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst's title ambitions in a noon showdown on Sunday.
The Dutch coach has enjoyed an excellent start to his Ibrox tenure and guided his side to a respectable draw in France in their Europa League dead rubber game against Lyon.
In fact, it was something of a surprise just how strong Rangers went given a trip to Tynecastle is generally accepted as one of the toughest away days you can get in Scottish football…as Ange Postecoglou discovered when Celtic were defeated in the capital in his first league game.
With Rangers reduced to just an allocation of 1,000 supporters, it will be a hostile environment and Hearts have one of the best home records in the top flight – they are unbeaten in eight.
But Rangers are the best travellers in the league by some distance and have won seven of their eight games on the road this season.
It's a fixture that can be explosive and referee Nick Walsh looks certain to be a busy man.
How the bookies view it
Rangers can be backed at 4/6 with bet365 which could be enough to tempt plenty of punters. Hearts are 9/2 with SBK which also prove popular and the draw is 16/5 with Betfred.
Recent head to heads
Hearts snatched a dramatic injury time equaliser when the sides met at Ibrox earlier this season in a 1-1 draw as can be seen below.
Steven Gerrard had a poor record in Gorgie with Hearts winning the last two clashes between the teams at Tynecastle and drawing the game before that.
Players to watch
Liam Boyce looks set to recover from a knock from Hearts' narrow win at Livingston and although he's gone off the biol somewhat recently, he's still Hearts' main threat and can be backed at 3/1 with Paddy Power.
Joe Aribo was given a rest against Lyon and only played for the last 17 minutes. He's been in outstanding form recently for Rangers with three goals from midfield in his last seven games and the 3/1 with the same firm could be of interest.
Anything else catch the eye?
Backing anyone at odds-on at a Tynecastle bearpit is a brave ask and the value here could be on the Hearts' double chance of a win or a draw at 7/5 at Unibet.
It could very well be blood and thunder from the off and referee Walsh is an interesting choice for a powderkeg fixture. He's shown seven red cards and 70 yellow cards in just 18 games this season, including 15 in two Celtic v St Johnstone games and six cautions and a red card when Rangers beat Hibs in Glasgow.
Bet365's 11/4 for a red card has to be an option as well as overs in the cards markets when they start appearing.
This Scottish Premiership match between Hearts and Rangers will be played on Dec 12, 2021 and kick off at 12:00. Check below for our tipsters best Hearts vs Rangers prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.