Hearts vs Falkirk Predictions
Hearts can move one step closer to Scottish title glory on Wednesday. I have my stake on a home win with over 1.5 goals scored.
Goals on the Cards at Tynecastle
- Hearts won 4 of their last 6 matches
- Hearts have seen over 1.5 goals in their last 5 matches
- Hearts won their last 3 matches against Falkirk
- Falkirk lost 4 of their last 6 matches
- Falkirk have seen over 1.5 goals in 7 of their last 8 matches (Premiership)
Hearts Lead Falkirk in H2H Record
Hearts and Falkirk have met on six occasions since 2020. Hearts won four of those matches while Falkirk secured one victory.
Hearts Held at Motherwell
Hearts return to Edinburgh after being held to a 1-1 draw at Motherwell last weekend. Laurence Shankland’s 15th goal of the season levelled the score before half-time, but despite plenty of second-half pressure, the Jambos were forced to settle for a point.
Derek McInnes’s side had the better of the contest, but were unable to find a winner in Lanarkshire. Hearts had 53% of the ball and registered 11 shots with an xG of 1.35, but a lack of quality in the final third proved costly for the league leaders.
Hearts have been in solid form, picking up six wins while losing just one of their last nine Premiership fixtures. Chasing a first title victory since 1960, the Jambos now have a point advantage at the top of the Premiership, with just two games to play.
In possession of the best home record in the division, Hearts remain unbeaten in 18 Premiership fixtures at Tynecastle this season (W14, D4).
Bairns Downed by Hibernian
Falkirk make the trip to Tynecastle after a disappointing home defeat by Hibernian last weekend. Three goals conceded in a miserable opening period condemned the Bairns to their seventh home defeat of the season.
The Hibees proved ruthless in front of goal, scoring three times from an xG of just 1.1 and ten shots on the Bairns goal.
John McGlynn's men have endured a serious dip in form in recent weeks. Falkirk lost four of their last six league fixtures, while they also suffered a Scottish Cup reversal against League One Dunfermline.
The Bairns have also struggled in defence, with 14 goals conceded in those four recent Premiership reversals.
McGlynn’s side have dropped to sixth in the division, now five points behind fifth-placed Hibernian.
Predicted Lineups and Team News
Hearts (4-3-3) Alexander Schwolow; Michael Steinwender, Frankie Kent, Stuart Findlay, Jordi Altena; Blair Spittal, Beni Baningime, Stephen Kingsley; Alexandros Kyziridis, Claudio Braga, Lawrence Shankland
Head coach McInnes could make one or two alterations from the side that claimed a point at Motherwell. Craig Halkett is the latest player to join a lengthy Jambos injury list.
Craig Gordon, Cammy Devlin, Calem Nieuwenhof, Tomas Magnusson, Oisin McEntee and Eduardo Ageu also remain sidelined for the league leaders.
Alexandros Kyziridis is among those in line for a recall to the first XI.
Head coach McInnes praised his side after their hard-fought draw at Fir Park.
"The biggest thing about my team is their desire to win. Despite obvious injuries and setbacks, we are patched together, we come through with plenty of credit. I think you can see why my team are top of the league."
Falkirk (4-3-3) Nicky Hogarth; Filip Lissah, Lewis Neilson, Connor Allan, Liam Henderson; Dylan Tait, Brad Spencer, Kyrell Wilson; Finn Yeats, Calvin Miller, Barney Stewart
Falkirk boss McGlynn is unable to call on several first-team players this week. Leon McCann, Ethan Williams, Scott Bain, and Louie Marsh all ruled out for the visitors.
Speaking after the weekend defeat against Hibernian, McGlynn revealed his disappointment in the Bairns performance.
"You give yourself a poor start in the game, you give Hibs a lot of encouragement, you give them a base to go from.
"Although I thought we played quite well after that, I thought we passed the ball really well, I thought we got down the sides, we got some balls in the box without maybe getting anyone on the end of it and didn't really force the goalkeeper into many saves, which was a bit disappointing”.