Hearts vs Kilmarnock Prediction: Jam Tarts a sweet bet

Hearts had to wait until the start of October to collect their first victory of the season, but Neil Critchley has replaced Steven Naismith in the Tynecastle dugout and sparked some improved form.

On Wednesday (19:45), the Jambos host Kilmarnock at Tynecastle Park in Edinburgh, and you can build up to the action by checking out my Hearts vs Kilmarnock prediction below.

Hearts picked up a 4-0 victory over St Mirren in Critchley’s first game in charge and that has been backed up by a pair of positive results.

Kilmarnock’s small squad struggled to deal with the demands of European competition in the early weeks of the campaign, but Killie are looking more like the solid side we have come to expect and Derek McInnes will be hoping to lead his side to three points in the capital.

Team News

Hearts will be without long-term absentees Gerald Taylor and Calem Nieuwenhof, while Yutaro Oda is also expected to miss out.

Teenager James Wilson is pushing for a start after scoring a late equaliser in the Edinburgh derby at the weekend.

Football Odds

For Hibs Stuart Findlay will miss the trip to Tynecastle after tearing his groin against Ross County.

Liam Polworth is also out injured and the midfielder is joined on the sidelines by the suspended Liam Donnelly.

Hearts vs Kilmarnock Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Hearts vs Kilmarnock page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

Hearts are 19/20 for a home victory, giving them an implied win probability of 51.3%. Kilmarnock are 11/4 chances and the draw is available at 12/5.

Match Result - Hearts @ 9/10

Hearts endured a dismal start to the Scottish Premiership season, but the Jambos are a far superior side than their league position suggests and Critchley’s side are better judged on recent results.

The Jam Tarts played with credit in a 1-1 Easter Road draw with Hibs on Sunday and that solid point followed excellent victories over St Mirren and Omonia Nicosia.

Hearts were giving a good account against high-flying Aberdeen at Pittodrie at the start of this month, before Jorge Grant’s second-half red card swung the contest in favour of the Dons.

If Hearts would have kept 11 men on the pitch in the Granite City we could be looking at an improving team unbeaten in their last six matches.

Killie were poor when losing 2-1 at Ross County on Saturday and they are struggling to find their best form away from Rugby Park.

Midfielders Polworth and Donnelly will both miss the trip to the capital, which could allow Hearts to control the central area and, at 9/10, the Jam Tarts rate a sweet bet.

Anytime Goalscorer - James Wilson (HEA) @ 2/1

Hearts play their fifth game in 25 days on Wednesday night and that could see some changes to the Jambos' starting XI.

Lawrence Shankland has scored only one goal this season and the Scotland international’s place at the head of the Jambos attack is coming under pressure.

Young forward Wilson found the net to rescue a draw for Hearts at Easter Road on Sunday and that followed a goal against St Mirren in the only other league appearance the 17-year-old has made this season.

Wilson could be handed his first Jam Tarts start against Killie and the Scotland youth international could be a nice anytime scorer play.

Offers

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down.

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.