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

Adverse weather conditions in Scotland have seen Ross County's last two games called off, but Hearts have been in action and impressed greatly, including in a dramatic Edinburgh derby in midweek.

Match preview

Hearts will come into this fixture on cloud nine after an incredible set of results lifted them up to third in the Premiership.

Wednesday's Edinburgh derby win over Hibernian saw Lawrence Shankland grab a stunning winner in the third minute of injury time in front of a delirious away end at Easter Road.

The game started off as dramatically as it started, though, as Shankland, along with Hibs forward Martin Boyle, both missed penalties inside 15 minutes.

That victory was a third in a row for Steven Naismith's side, and their second straight win on the road, after also taking three points from Celtic Park shortly before Christmas.

It leaves Hearts sitting in third as the best of the rest at present, 11 points adrift of second-placed Rangers but two points ahead of Kilmarnock despite playing a game fewer.

There is then a substantial gap to fifth and sixth, so Hearts currently look on course for a Europa League spot, but there is still a long way to go.

Back-to-back postponements mean Ross County have not played since December 16 in what is usually a hectic period.

Whether that is a blessing in disguise, allowing Derek Adams to get his side in for extra training, is not yet clear, but they have plummeted down the table given their lack of games.

A home clash with Hibs and their trip to Rangers both fell victim to the weather, as their pitch in Dingwall was waterlogged before Storm Gerrit caused traffic issues disrupting their journey to Glasgow.

County sit 10th, just one point above Motherwell in the relegation playoff spot, but they have played two games fewer.

The lop-sided manner of the number of games each side have played means a run of good form could really lift Ross County up the table, as they have played three games fewer than some sides, but successive defeats in their last two outings suggests that will be tough.

Hearts Scottish Premiership form:

W

L

L

W

W

W

Ross County Scottish Premiership form:

L

D

W

W

L

L

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Team News

With no new injury concerns to deal with, Naismith may go unchanged, but there were a few alterations to the Hearts team before the Hibs clash.

Craig Halkett and Yutaro Oda were among those who dropped out, with James Forrest and Stephen Kingsley returning on Wednesday.

Shankland is set to start up front again for the hosts, and his late winner at Hibs added yet another goal to his very fine record of 11 so far this season, which has him top of the scoring charts, two clear of three Old Firm players on nine.

Odel Offiah is a doubt with illness, while Jorge Grant, Cammy Devlin and Liam Boyce are all absent for Hearts.

Having not played for two weeks has given Ross County a bit of a break while restoring fitness in the legs, but they may be slightly off it in terms of sharpness.

Ross Callachan and Ben Paton remain out with long-term knee injuries, while Dylan Smith is out with an ankle issue for the visitors.

Hearts possible starting lineup:

Clarke; Kingsley, Kent, Rowles; Atkinson, Denholm, Baningime, Nieuwenhof, Cochrane; Forrest, Shankland

Ross County possible starting lineup:

Laidlaw; Nightingale, Baldwin, Leak; Brown, Randall, Allardice, Dhanda, Purrington; White, Murray

We say: Hearts 2-0 Ross County

The Hearts faithful will feel comfortable of keeping their fine recent form going against a side who they are unbeaten against in 13 games.

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