Hearts vs FC Nordsjaelland Predictions
Hearts welcome FC Nordsjaelland to Tynecastle Park for their UEFA Conference League league-phase opener on Thursday.
The Jambos head into this fixture after putting five past St Mirren, while Nordsjaelland have been unconvincing on their travels.
Hearts double chance is my best bet, while I also fancy Hearts to score two goals or more.
Hearts Backed to Deliver at Tynecastle
- Hearts are unbeaten in 31 of their last 32 home matches
- Hearts scored 2+ goals in 6 of their last 7 home matches
- FC Nordsjaelland conceded 2+ goals in 5 of their last 6 away matches
- FC Nordsjaelland failed to win 3 of their last 4 away matches
First Meeting Between Hearts and Nordsjaelland
Hearts and FC Nordsjaelland will meet for the first time in competitive action on Thursday.
Hearts Hit Five Against St Mirren
Hearts return to European action after an emphatic 5-0 victory against St Mirren at Tynecastle on Saturday.
Calvin Miller scored twice from the penalty spot while goals from Laurent Mendy, Claudio Braga and Josh McPake ensured a comfortable afternoon for the Jambos.
Match stats reflected Hearts' attacking dominance at Tynecastle. The hosts outshot St Mirren 18-8 and recorded an xG of 3.90 compared to the visitors' 0.90, despite having slightly less possession (49%).
Wouter Vrancken's side have been in solid form over the past six weeks, securing five wins while losing just one of seven matches.
The Jambos have been particularly strong at Tynecastle, losing just one of their last 32 home fixtures. The Edinburgh side have scored at least twice in nine of their 11 home matches since April.
Hearts begin their Conference League league-phase campaign after a dramatic qualifying victory against Rapid Wien. Both legs finished 2-2 before Vrancken's men held their nerve to win 4-3 on penalties.
Nordsjaelland Held by Odense
FC Nordsjaelland travel to Edinburgh after a frustrating goalless draw against Odense at Right to Dream Park on Friday.
Justin Janssen had a second-half penalty saved by Viljar Myhra as the hosts failed to turn their pressure into three points.
Jens Olsen's side had the better opportunities, finishing with 21 shots to Odense's 10 and an xG of 2.12 compared to the visitors' 0.48.
The Danes have now failed to win their last three matches. Nordsjaelland slipped to a 4-1 defeat at Viborg in their previous league outing before the international break. They also fell to a 3-0 reversal against Malmo in a friendly fixture.
On the road, the Tigers have been particularly vulnerable in recent weeks. Olsen's men lost 2-0 at Copenhagen, drew 2-2 at Midtjylland and conceded four at Viborg in their last three league trips.
The visitors were more successful in Conference League qualifying. After a 1-0 defeat at GAIS, they won their next five matches to secure a place in the league phase.
Hearts vs FC Nordsjaelland Team News
Hearts: (4-2-3-1) Beau Reus; Jordi Altena, Stuart Findlay, Jamie McCart, Harry Milne; Oisin McEntee, Laurent Mendy; Calvin Miller, Claudio Braga, Josh McPake; James Wilson.
Hearts boss Vrancken is unable to call on a handful of first-team players this week.
Craig Halkett, Tom Renaud, Blair Spittal and Finlay Pollock are injury absentees while Tomas Magnusson is suspended after his dismissal in the Conference League play-off at Rapid Vienna.
Miller, Braga and McPake should retain their places after all three scored in Saturday's win against St Mirren.
Speaking to the media ahead of Thursday's Conference League clash, Vrancken expressed delight with his side's performance against St Mirren last weekend.
“It was very important to start well and get a result. The vibe is good and hopefully gives us more confidence and a vibe going forward.
“When we play a good game, I am always happy to see my team play well. “In and out of possession, we played a good game against St Mirren. “Hopefully, it gives every confidence to the next games that are coming.”
FC Nordsjaelland: (3-4-3) Andreas Hansen; Victor Nelsson, Tobias Salquist, Noah Markmann; Markus Walker, Justin Janssen, Mark Brink, Runar Norheim; Hjalte Boe Rasmussen, Villum Berthelsen, Ibrahim Adel.
Nordsjaelland boss Olsen could keep faith with much of the side that drew against Odense.
The visitors have a couple of injury issues this week with Araphat Mohammed and Souleymane Alio both expected to remain sidelined for the trip to Scotland.
Alexander Lind and Prince Amoako are in contention to earn recalls after appearing as second-half substitutes on Friday.