Here’s our Hearts Vs Petrocub preview, prediction, team news and predicted lineups ahead of Thursday’s Europa Conference League clash.
Hearts Vs Petrocub Preview
Neil Critchley’s Hearts have lost their last three Conference League games. The Jam Tarts face Moldovan outfit Petrocub Hincesti, who are yet to win a game.
Hearts are on the edge of qualification for the knockout playoffs. They currently sit 23rd in the standings, with the top 24 clubs progressing – either directly into the last-16 or into the playoff.
With one game remaining, Hearts know they’ll need maximum points to guarantee their progression.
After a winless opening ten games in all competitions, the Edinburgh side have improved and beat Dinamo Minsk and Omonia Nicosia in Europe.
But having not taken a point in the competition since, they head into the final match-day of the league phase will plenty still to do.
Four points adrift of the top eight, Hearts cannot qualify directly for the last-16.
In between them and a playoff place are winless Petrocub. They have lost all but one of their games so far, drawing 1-1 at Istanbul Basaksehir.
The Moldovan Super Liga winners qualified for European football for the first time in their history this season.
But with just one point from five games, they are already mathematically eliminated and will be playing only for pride on Thursday.
1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲
Thursday will be the club's 100th match in European football and we have a special matchday programme to mark the occasion 😍
🎟️Join us for a huge match at Tynecastle 👉🏻 https://t.co/JgTFnT4uCx pic.twitter.com/O3ATu2ZymV
— Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) December 17, 2024
Hearts Vs Petrocub Team News
For Hearts, they must do without Calem Nieuwenhof, Frankie Kent, Gerald Taylor and Stephen Kingsley. All four are injured, though should each return to the squad in the near future.
Lawrence Shankland is back from suspension, and is likely to be one of the only changes Critchley makes to the side which lost at Kilmarnock on Sunday.
Petrocub were unlucky not to take a point as they lost 1-0 to Real Betis last time out. This will be their first game since then, so it’s likely the manager will keep things similar.
An injury to Ion Bors means Narh Djangmah may come in to replace him.
Hearts Vs Petrocub Predicted Lineups
Hearts: Gordon; Oyegoke, Halkett, Rowles, Penrice; Devlin, Boateng; Vargas, Spittal, Forrest; Shankland
Petrocub: Smalenea; Jardan, Potirniche, Mudrac, Djangmah, Demian; Ambros, Lungu, Douanla, Puscas; Platica
Hearts Vs Petrocub Prediction
This season may be going badly for Hearts, but they are still comfortable favourites for this one.
Petrocub are newcomers to European football, and have lost heavily to some much weaker opposition than Hearts.
We therefore expect the hosts to dominate on home soil and come away with a convincing victory.
Prediction: Hearts 3-0 Petrocub
