Hearts vs FC Zurich Predictions

• Both teams have scored in four of Hearts’ five competitive games this season.
• FC Zurich are a good counter-attacking team.
• FC Zurich have scored at least once in both of their away European games in 2022-23.

Jam Tarts won’t produce stale affair

Hearts have got to score at least once to earn a spot in the Europa League group stages, which should make Thursday’s clash at Tynecastle far from a stale affair for the Jam Tarts. FC Zurich came from behind to win the first game in Swizerland 2-1 and thoroughly deserved their advantage by the end of the game, but it might not be enough to ensure they progress without an even better display in Edinburgh.

The good news for them is that they can probably field a stronger team for the second leg with Benin international striker Tosin Aiyegun pushing for a place after grabbing a hat-trick in a cup win last weekend.

Head coach Franco Foda was able to make 10 changes to the side which overcame Hearts last week with centre-back Karol Mets the only one keeping his place and Italian international starlet Wilfried Gnonto included from the off. Gnonto is the perfect weapon to unleash on Hearts in the second leg because of his pace, ability to win free-kicks, and penetrate on the counter attack.

Hearts may need to dial down the aggression

Hearts were beaten 2-0 by Celtic last weekend and had two players sent off. Robbie Neilson, who made seven changes from the previous midweek, complained about refereeing, but by all accounts all four of the yellow cards that led to the reds were totally justified.

His side will need to dial down the aggression for this game with match referee Lawrence Visser having already issued 13 cautions and an expulsion in three Belgian league games this term. They made a decent start last week and got the first goal from the spot, but were all too easily pegged back, which suggests it will be tough to progress here.

But both teams can score on the night and a 1-1 draw is within reach of Zurich to ensure they progress to the group stage.