Preview: Hearts vs. Partick Thistle - prediction, team news, lineups

Steven Naismith's side will be on a high heading into the encounter after a memorable night in Europe on Thursday.

Match preview

A brilliant night at Tynecastle saw Hearts come from behind to see off Rosenberg to reach the Europa Conference League playoff round.

Within six minutes of the second leg, Hearts were 3-1 down on aggregate, but Cammy Devlin's double saw them level the tie and then win it in stoppage time, albeit in quite fortuitous circumstances.

Hearts now face PAOK Salonika in the final hurdle before the group stages, the round in which they reached last season.

That will mean three consecutive home games in the space of a week, with Partick in the League Cup next up.

Hearts have not yet conceded a goal domestically, as a 0-0 draw with St Johnstone and a 2-0 win over Kilmarnock see them up towards the top of the table in the early stages.

They have been given a kind start, not facing either of the Glasgow juggernauts until gameweek nine, and the weekend win has extended their unbeaten domestic run to six games.

Partick are up against it facing a side from the division above, and their recent record against Hearts is woeful, having won just one of the last 14 encounters.

After only narrowly missing out on promotion last season on two occasions, Partick have made a poor start.

Being denied automatic promotion on the last day, and then losing in the playoff final after scoring 19 goals in six matches on the way is looking hard to come back from.

A draw at home to Raith Rovers was followed up by a loss at Airdrieonians, as they were unable to maintain the confidence they would have taken from progressing through their League Cup group.

Three wins over Peterhead, Dundee United and Spartans helped them on their way, as well as a draw with Falkirk, so manager Kris Doolan will hope they can rediscover that form on their return to cup action.

Hearts form (all competitions):

Partick Thistle Scottish League Cup form:

W

W

L

W

Partick Thistle form (all competitions):

W

W

L

W

D

L

Advert - content below:

Team News

With another European tie to come on Thursday for Hearts, Naismith may make a few changes to keep his strongest XI fit and fresh for the visit of PAOK.

Aidan Denholm was handed a first Hearts start in midweek and could retain his place, but Alex Cochrane remains suspended after a red card late last season.

With a sell-out travelling support of 1300 expected for Partick, manager Doolan is expected to go full strength knowing that their opponents may have one eye on Thursday.

Wes McDonald made his debut off the bench at the weekend, like many of their new signings who have been restricted to cameos so far.

Hearts possible starting lineup:

Clark; Atkinson, Kent, Rowles, Kingsley; Oda, Haring, Denholm, Lowry; Tagawa, Forrest

Partick Thistle possible starting lineup:

Mitchell; McMillan, Muirhead, Williams, Milne; Williamson, Bannigan, Lyon; Lawless, Graham, Fitzpatrick

We say: Hearts 2-0 Partick Thistle

Hearts have had a very strong start to the season both domestically and on the continent and should continue that here.

Previews by email