Team News – Kilmarnock
Killie sit in eighth-place at present which is about what their form so far deserves, but just one win in their last eight outings, 1-0 against St Johnstone on their penultimate start, means they go into this round of fixtures a mere three points better off than the relegation zone and four above Dundee who are holding the rest up.
That narrow win over St Johnstone was real cause for celebration for the home side and they were able to build on it when taking a point from Inverness in the highlands in what was expected to be a tough assignment. One point could so easily have been three however as Souleymane Coulibaly won and scored a penalty with just seven-minutes on the clock. Killie were left kicking themselves having missed a host of chances and were made to pay when Lonsana Doumbouya rattled in an equaliser in the dying minutes of the game for a share of the spoils. Killie were the engineers of their own downfall.
Manager Lee Clark described it as a very disappointing result for his men and that goes some way to explain just how well they played as a point at Inverness is always gratefully received for the vast majority of sides at this level. It’s a difficult place to get anything from. Despite that effort, Killie have no chance if the odds are to be followed with a monster 5/1 at bet365 on the home win, while another draw is 16/5, best with Paddy Power.
Team News – Hearts
The Jam Tarts strengthened their push for a second-place finish behind the defending champions when bagging a second on the trot when beating Dundee on their most recent start. Robbie Neilson’s men have won five of their last seven, losing only to St Johnstone during that purple patch courtesy of a surprise 1-0.
A 3-1 win over Motherwell on their penultimate go was followed up when beating Dundee 2-0 in Edinburgh, a result that was widely expected but one they achieved with minimum fuss. Hearts remain a point worse off than Aberdeen, who are their main rivals for a runner-up spot, but second-half goals from Callum Paterson on 68-minutes and Bjorn Johnsen right at the death kept them in touch. That was their second clean sheet in three and Hearts to win to nil is 6/4 at William Hill.
Hearts won 1-0 when these sides last had a coming together thanks to a goal from Jamie Walker early in the match. A repeat of that in the correct score market is 6/1 favourite with Coral while victory by any method is favourite, currently no better than 8/13 with Skybet. Some firms have them 8/15, showing odds compilers are eager to keep the visitors on side.
Punters who like to keep an eye on the outright markets will be surprised to see Hearts available at 4/1 with Betfair to finish second behind Celtic come the final count. Rangers head that market at 23/20 while Aberdeen are 13/8.
Head To Head
Hearts have won three, drawn two, and lost one of their last six matches against Kilmarnock.
Kilmarnock vs Hearts Stats
Hearts have won 71% of their last seven games, whilst Kilmarnock have lost 67% of their home games in all competitions this season.
Kilmarnock Team News
Left midfielder Callum McFadzean is expected back in a week or two, but striker Greg Kiltie is out until June.
Hearts Team News
Left winger Sam Nicholson remains sidelined after his knee operation, with the 21 year old not expected back until January.
