Hearts travel to Switzerland to face FC Thun in the Conference League on Thursday, with the Edinburgh side's squad stretched by injuries. Wouter Vrancken is without an entire outfield team of players after Tomas Magnusson and Calvin Miller were forced off during the first half of Sunday's Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Hibs.
Playing two games a week is putting more strain on the few fit players available, and rotation for Conference League games is not an option for the Belgian coach right now.
Thun's Form and Hearts' Injury Crisis
FC Thun had won just one of their previous nine matches before coming from 4-1 down to beat Lausanne 5-4 away from home on Sunday. That result will have lifted their confidence.
With Monaco, Borac and Pafos still to come in the league phase, three points for Hearts would make their home draw with Nordsjaelland look like a decent result and give them a fighting chance going into their final three games.
Record Sport Writers' Predictions
Keith Jackson expects Hearts to overcome their injury issues against a side sitting ninth in their domestic league and 32nd of 36 in the Conference with zero points from six. He predicts Thun 0 Hearts 2.
Michael Gannon believes the crippling injury list is a major doubt, but thinks Thun's poor form means Hearts can dig in and come back with a point. He predicts Thun 1 Hearts 1.
Scott Burns says Vrancken's biggest challenge is finding a fit starting XI, but he still expects Hearts to get a result in Switzerland. He predicts Thun 1 Hearts 1.
More Predictions and What's at Stake
Ross Pilcher notes that with so many players out, Hearts barely have a plan A, and it is a case of getting a team out there and hoping they can take enough chances. He predicts Thun 1 Hearts 2, adding that clean sheets remain an issue but the Jambos are up against a side on a dismal run until the weekend.
Robbie Copeland says on paper this is a tie Hearts should be targeting points from if they are serious about progressing beyond the league phase. He predicts a score draw, Thun 2 Hearts 2, noting the Swiss opponents are scoring plenty but have conceded more than anyone in their league.
With just one more Premiership fixture before the international break, Hearts will get some respite and a chance to bring some absentees back, but one last push is required from the available players first.
