Preview: Hearts vs. Ross County - prediction, team news, lineups

Steven Naismith lost his first game as Hearts interim manager last weekend, falling to arch-rivals Hibernian, while Ross County suffered a 1-0 defeat to Aberdeen.

Match preview

Following a run of five consecutive losses in all competitions, Hearts replaced Robbie Neilson with Steven Naismith earlier this month, but the caretaker boss failed to spark an immediate upturn in his first match in charge.

Despite seeing the lion's share of the ball at Easter Road, the Jam Tarts tasted defeat against Edinburgh foes Hibs last weekend, with Kevin Nisbet scoring the only goal of the game midway through the second half.

Not only have Hearts lost each of their last six outings across all competitions, but they have also lost eight of their previous 11 while failing to score in six of those defeats.

On a brighter note, Hearts have won six of their last eight home league games, scoring at least three goals in five of those victories, so they will be hopeful of returning to winning ways against lowly Ross County.

The Jam Tarts also have the Premiership's third-highest scorer in their ranks, as Lawrence Shankland has netted 18 goals in 31 league appearances this season, although the Scotland international has scored just once in his last six outings.

Like Hearts, Ross County have recorded far too many negative results in recent weeks, suffering four defeats in five matches to leave them one point adrift at the foot of the Scottish Premiership table.

After losing to Motherwell, Livingston and Celtic, the Staggies secured a much-needed 2-0 victory at St Johnstone before returning to losing ways last time out, suffering a 1-0 home defeat to Aberdeen.

When you look at the bigger picture, Ross County have lost six of their last eight Premiership encounters, with a measly three victories coming in their previous 17 league games, piling pressure on manager Malky Mackay.

The Dingwall outfit have been especially poor on the road of late, winning just one of their last eight away league matches, and they have also conceded at least two goals in four of their previous five defeats on their travels.

Having managed to win only three of their 15 Premiership away games this season - recording three draws and nine losses in the process - Ross County will struggle to claim all three points on Saturday.

Hearts Scottish Premiership form:

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Hearts form (all competitions):

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Ross County Scottish Premiership form:

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Team News

With Beni Baningime, Liam Boyce and Craig Halkett continuing to recover from knee injuries, interim Hearts manager Steven Naismith has multiple selection dilemmas to address.

To make matters worse, goalkeeper Craig Gordon and midfielder Gary Mackay-Steven also remain sidelined through injury, leaving the Jam Tarts with limited options in every department.

Lawrence Shankland will continue to lead the line, while Zander Clark will continue to deputise between the sticks, but Naismith could shuffle his pack as he searches for a winning formula.

Ross County, on the other hand, will be without the injured trio of Jordan Tillson, Ben Paton and Ross Callachan for the trip to Tynecastle.

Top scorer Jordan White is likely to be joined by Simon Murray in attack, with Jack Baldwin, Dylan Smith and Keith Watson occupying the centre-back roles.

Hearts possible starting lineup:

Clark; Smith, Sibbick, Rowels, Kingsley; Halliday, Devlin; Forrest, Grant, McKay; Shankland

Ross County possible starting lineup:

Laidlaw; Watson, Smith, Baldwin; Sims, Randall, Loturi, Kenneh, Harmon; White, Murray

We say: Hearts 2-0 Ross County

Given that Ross County have managed to win just one of their last eight away league outings, Saturday's clash provides Hearts with the ideal opportunity to return to winning ways.

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