Battle at Tynecastle | Hearts vs Motherwell Preview
- Ruaraidh Blackwood
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
So here we are. The final pre-game split game for the Well. And for us, it’s a trip to Tynecastle. With Hearts stumbling in Livingston, and our own disappointing result at home to Falkirk, both teams will be looking to bounce back in this one.
After Round 32 of games, Hearts still hold their slender lead at the top; and further down, the gap below us to Hibs now stands at just three points. The top and bottom sixes are also now confirmed, with Falkirk’s win over us rubber-stamping a top six finish, another impressive milestone in their debut season back in the top flight.
With our recent run of form, and fact that teams around us are closing gaps, it would perhaps be fair to have an edge of worry that this season will “peter out”, but Well fans should also be reminded of the trials and tribulations that have befallen us. All we need is one good result and the tide can turn once again.
The Form Guide…
It’s been a rare dip in form for the Well of late, with our last win not coming since February. We can’t say we haven’t been unlucky, mind you, with plenty of missed opportunities and misfortune, but the results are what they are.
Hearts have also not been without their troubles. For all they’ve recorded three wins in their last five, Derek McInnes’s side have faltered at relegation favourites Livingston last week, as well as at Rugby Park to a struggling Killie. I think one way to quantify this bizarre form is through the home vs. away form. At time of writing, Hearts are yet to lose a game at Tynecastle this season, only dropping points in 25% of their matches. Conversely, they’ve recorded all of their 5 losses on the road, and have dropped at least one point in half of their away games.
The Teams…
For Motherwell, we’re looking at a similar squad availability to the last game. A decision with Eythor Byørgolfsson will be made Saturday morning as to whether or not he travels, having picked up a slight issue before the Falkirk game. Liam Gordon and Callum Hendry are both back in full training, and others (Koutroumbis/Charles-Cook) are making strides towards their return. Callum Slattery remains on the sidelines after his retrospective red card.
In terms of starting 11, we could see something long similar lines to what we had last week, with most players still available, but the potential return of Byørgolfsson may mean one of the young guns drops out of the squad. Alternatively, JBA may pull one of his famous ‘switcheroos’ and make seven changes again, so we shall see.
For Hearts, a straight red in the match against Livi means the Jambos will be without midfielder Marc Leonard, with Findlay, Magnússon, Ageu, Gordon, Pollock, and Nieuwenhof all being out. On a positive note for the Tynecastle side - and Scotland fans alike - Lawrence Shankland has re-found his scoring form, with contributions to both goals last time out.
Formationally, McInnes has made slight tweaks to his side last time out, with a 4-2-3-1 system being preferred to his tied and true 4-4-2. With Shanks lining up as a 10 in behind Claudio Braga, as well as Devlin and Leonard sitting in the double pivot, this system more closely mirrors our own, and it was interesting to see the Scots frontman play more of a supporting role.
What The Managers Had To Say…
To Sum Up…
Another trip to the capital. A place that has been relatively fruitful for the Well, with the Steelmen being unbeaten in every trip so far this season. However, the boys in claret and amber will be looking to go one better this time around, with a win being sorely needed. For Hearts, a win this weekend could spur them on to further distance themselves at the top of the table, with the amount of games left rapidly decreasing.
Either way, it will be a tough match for both sides, and I for one cannot wait.
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