Hearts v Dundee Utd
Football : Scottish Premier League Saturday 31/07/2011 - Kickoff 15.00 (local)
Hearts
Hearts were on Europa League qualifying duty on Thursday night which saw them taking a vital away goal back to Tynecastle for the return leg with a 1-1 draw away to Hungarian team Paks. To be honest watching the game Hearts were actually unlucky to have not won the match having dominated large periods of the game.
What is encouraging for boss Jim Jeffries is his players are showing a contination of the early season form that took a point away from Ibrox last week. Also, Hearts have done this without a number of first team players with Kevin Kyle, Andy Webster, Rudi Skacel and Andrew Driver still unavailable.
You've got to think that Dundee Utd will be one of the main challangers to Hearts for 3rd place this season so this game is an important one for the Gorgie side to win. Jeffries will be looking for a huge effort despite their midweek exertions.
Hearts are without Jamie Hamill through suspension.
Possible Hearts Lineup :
Kello, McGowan, Zaliukas, Jonsson, Grainger, Black, Mrowiec, Templeton, Obua, Stevenson, Sutton
Dundee Utd
The main talking point from a Dundee United perspective is the imminent transfer of striker David Goodwillie out of the club with a 2.8m deal to take him to Blackburn all but done. Whether it goes through or not I don't really expect him to play in this match anyway.
Dundee United have a pretty good team this year with the additions of John Rakin from Hibs and bringing back Willo Flood their midfield will be creative and they have 2 great young wide players in Gary Mackay-Stevens and Danny Swanson. I imagine they will be hunting for a replacement to Goodwillie up front to partner Russell.
Manager Peter Huston, will be a bit disappointed with his sides performanace so far this season having been knocked out of the Europa Cup qualifying round at the first asking on away goals when they were in a winning position. Then last week they had to rescue a draw from a home tie with Kilmarnock where they were under serious pressure throughout the match.
Possible Dundee Utd lineup:
Pernis, Watson, Dillion, Dixon, Douglas, Severin, Flood, Mackay-Stevens, Rakin, Daly, Russell
PREDICTION
The key to victory for Hearts will be to take care of the inventive Willo Flood and limit the service striker Russell receives. David Templeton has been Heart's best player so far and it is noticable most of the good play comes through his ability to beat players down the left wing. They will be looking to play the ball through him as much as possible.
One thing I have noticed in recent encounters between these two teams is that the away side rarely wins, with this in mind and the confidence that Hearts are carrying at the moment I will take them to edge it here with possibly John Sutton grabbing a goal on his home debut.
THE PICK
Hearts 1-0 Dundee Utd
PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE
Hearts 50% Dundee Utd 25% Draw 25%
THE BET
Take Hearts to win available @ 2.12 (Pinnacle)
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