Hearts vs Rapid Vienna Predictions
Hearts host Rapid Vienna in the first leg of their Conference League qualification playoff on Thursday.
The Jambos have improved after a slow start to their season but can expect a stiff test against an in-form Rapid side.
I have my stake on Rapid Vienna to avoid defeat, while I also expect BTTS and over 2.5 goals scored.
Goals Backed at Tynecastle
- Hearts failed to win 6 of their last 8 matches (competitive fixtures)
- Hearts have seen BTTS in 4 of their last 5 matches
- Hearts have seen over 2.5 goals in 7 of their last 9 matches
- Rapid Vienna won their last 8 matches
- Rapid Vienna have seen BTTS & over 2.5 goals in 3 of their last 4 away matches
Hearts and Rapid Set For First Competitive Meeting
Hearts and Rapid Vienna will meet for the first time in Thursday’s Conference League playoff contest.
Hearts Complete Dramatic Cup Comeback
Hearts return to Tynecastle after a remarkable 6-2 League Cup victory against Inverness on Sunday.
Christian Borchgrevink gave the hosts an early lead before two goals in as many second-half minutes put the visitors in front.
Rogers Mato levelled proceedings before Calvin Miller (twice), James Wilson and Claudio Braga struck in a remarkable finale.
Wouter Vrancken’s side are now unbeaten in their last three matches. The Jambos earned a creditable 1-1 draw against Benfica last week after a thumping 4-0 win against Dundee United in the Premiership four days earlier.
The draw with Benfica was not enough to prevent a 7-2 aggregate Europa League elimination following a painful 6-1 first-leg defeat in Lisbon.
The Jambos also exited Champions League qualification against Austrian opposition, losing 6-0 on aggregate against Sturm Graz.
Rapid Vienna Maintain Perfect Start
Rapid Vienna arrive in Edinburgh after demolishing Grazer AK 8-0 in the Austrian Bundesliga last weekend.
Ercan Kara bagged an early brace before Tonni Adamsen scored four goals in a remarkable individual display. Nenad Cvetkovic and Yusuf Demir were also on target as Johannes Hoff Thorup’s side completed a dominant victory.
Rapid have made a swift start to their season. The Austrians sit top of the Bundesliga with three wins from three and 11 goals scored.
The Green-Whites also cruised through two rounds of Conference League qualification. A 9-3 aggregate victory against Santa Coloma was backed up by a 6-1 success against Paide Linnameeskond in the third round.
The in-form Austrian side have won all eight competitive fixtures this season, scoring 29 goals and conceding only five.
Hearts vs Rapid Vienna Team News
Hearts: (4-2-3-1) Beau Reus; Jordi Altena, Oisin McEntee, Jamie McCart, Stuart Findlay; Tom Renaud, Blair Spittal; Calvin Miller, Sabri Guendouz, Josh McPake; Claudio Braga.
Head coach Vrancken rotated his squad against Inverness, with several regular starters expected to return on Thursday.
Jordi Altena, Blair Spittal, Josh McPake and Claudio Braga are among those in contention for recalls.
Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Stephen Kingsley, Craig Halkett and Ageu remain sidelined through injury.
Vrancken lamented his side's naivety in the 6-2 win against Inverness last weekend.
“We didn't give too many chances away, only the five minutes in the second half. Then, we have to be more direct.
“In some moments, we played too naive and we let them come into the game. We sped up a little bit, and it was much easier to take the game to them.
“The players(who were given a chance) have to show what is needed, especially energy. We can evaluate them. Some did good, some not that good. It's good that everyone got more minutes in the legs.”
Rapid Vienna: (4-2-3-1) Niklas Hedl; Bendeguz Bolla, Nenad Cvetkovic, Serge Raux Yao, Jannes-Kilian Horn; Matthias Seidl, Romeo Amane; Yusuf Demir, Tonni Adamsen, Petter Nosakhare Dahl; Ercan Kara.
Head coach Thorup is expected to name the same side that thrashed Grazer AK.
Tonni Adamsen is a cert to feature after his four-goal haul last weekend, while Ercan Kara is set to spearhead the visitors' attack.
Dominic Vincze, Martin Ndzie, Daniel Nunoo, Claudy Mbuyi and Andrija Radulovic are unavailable due to various injuries.