Rapid Vienna vs Hearts Predictions
Rapid Vienna and Hearts face off with everything still to play for in their Conference League playoff tie.
A high-scoring first leg points to a similarly entertaining affair, with the Austrians' home advantage likely to make the difference.
I have my stake on Rapid Vienna to win with at least three match goals.
Rapid Backed in Vienna
- Rapid Vienna won 9 of their last 10 matches (competitive fixtures)
- Rapid Vienna have seen over 2.5 goals in 8 of their last 10 matches (competitive fixtures)
- Hearts have seen over 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 6 matches (competitive fixtures)
- Hearts lost 7 of their last 8 away matches (European competitions)
- Hearts conceded an average of 2.66 goals per game in their last 12 away matches (European competitions)
Rapid and Hearts Level in H2H
Rapid Vienna and Hearts will meet for the second time on Wednesday. Four goals were shared in their first-ever encounter in Edinburgh last Thursday.
Rapid Maintain Unbeaten Run
Rapid Vienna return to Allianz Stadion after their impressive winning run ended in Edinburgh.
Thorup’s side had won all eight competitive matches this season before being held to a 2-2 draw by Hearts in last week’s first leg.
In an open and entertaining encounter in Edinburgh, Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao opened the scoring for Rapid after 30 minutes, before Hearts turned the contest around with two goals in the second half. The Austrians salvaged a draw when substitute Nikolaus Wurmbrand bagged a late equaliser.
The Green-Whites cruised through their opening two Conference League qualifying rounds, seeing off Santa Coloma 9-3 on aggregate before a 6-1 aggregate victory against Paide Linnameeskond.
Rapid have been equally impressive domestically, winning each of their first three Austrian Bundesliga matches.
Before last week’s draw at Tynecastle, the Austrian outfit secured a remarkable 8-0 win against Grazer AK, with Tonni Adamsen scoring four goals in a dominant home victory.
Rapid have now scored 31 goals in nine competitive matches this season and remain unbeaten across 15 games played this summer (including friendlies).
Hearts Improving Under Vrancken
Hearts make the trip to Vienna with renewed confidence after extending their unbeaten run to four matches.
Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao experienced mixed fortunes after putting Rapid ahead on 30 minutes, before turning the ball into his own net 10 minutes after the restart to bring Hearts level.
James Wilson fired the hosts ahead seven minutes later before Nikolaus Wurmbrand rescued a 2-2 draw for the visitors.
Wouter Vrancken’s side have picked up some form after a miserable start to the campaign. The Jambos lost their opening four competitive fixtures, including a painful 6-1 Europa League road defeat against Benfica.
Hearts have responded impressively, with draws against Benfica (1-1) and Rapid (2-2), as well as high-scoring wins against Inverness (6-2) and Dundee United (4-0).
Defensive issues have been a consistent theme for the Jambos this season. Vrancken’s men have conceded 19 goals in eight competitive fixtures.
A poor European road record is a further cause for concern. The Scots have lost ten of 12 continental away games since 2022, conceding 32 goals in those fixtures.
Rapid Vienna vs Hearts Team News
Rapid Vienna: (4-2-3-1) Niklas Hedl; Bendeguz Bolla, Nenad Cvetkovic, Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao, Jannes Horn; Matthias Seidl, Romeo Amane; Yusuf Demir, Tonni Adamsen, Petter Dahl; Ercan Kara
Rapid remain unable to call on several first-team players this week, with Dominic Vincze, Martin Ndzie, Daniel Nunoo, Claudy Mbuyi and Andrija Radulovic all sidelined with various injury issues.
Thorup could retain the majority of the side that started at Tynecastle, although Wurmbrand is in contention for a recall after his goalscoring substitute appearance in Scotland.
Hearts: (4-2-3-1) Beau Reus; Jordi Altena, Oisin McEntee, Stuart Findlay, Jamie McCart; Tom Renaud, Blair Spittal; Josh McPake, Claudio Braga, Calvin Miller; Pierre Landry Kabore
Hearts have four confirmed absentees for Wednesday’s Conference League playoff. Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Stephen Kingsley, Craig Halkett and Ageu remain sidelined for the visitors.
James Wilson is pushing for a starting role after his superb second-half strike at Tynecastle last week.
Vrancken was encouraged by Hearts’ performance and praised the energy and intensity shown by his players.
“I think we showed the next step today. I'm really proud of the players because not only were the intentions good with the ball, but there was a lot of energy and intensity in the game, also without the ball.
“When I see the numbers now, the physical parameters, it's nice to see because I think they never did it before, and we're making steps in that way also.
“That's what I like to see, an energetic style of play.”