Preview: Kilmarnock vs. Hearts - prediction, team news, lineups

Both sides currently occupy a place in the league's top six, with European qualification set to be the aim for the two come the end of the season.

Match preview

Kilmarnock enter the weekend just inside the Championship Group places on goal difference, after an uneventful 0-0 draw with a Ross County side under new management last week.

Their current position is a notable upgrade on where they found themselves for much of last season, though, when Killie finished just one place above the relegation zone.

Fine home form has been the catalyst behind a much better start, as Derek McInnes's side are still unbeaten at Rugby Park in the league this season, and they have also beaten Celtic here in the League Cup.

Only the league leaders have taken more points than Kilmarnock at home so far, with the hosts winning 14 of their 17 points here.

Three straight home wins against Livingston, Aberdeen and Motherwell should give McInnes's side great confidence heading into this clash against a potential rival for the European places.

Hearts themselves have won three Premiership games on the bounce, after Lawrence Shankland's solitary strike earned them a victory over St Johnstone last weekend.

The Hearts forward now has six in six for his club side after also netting Scotland's late equaliser in Georgia during Euro 2024 qualifying two weeks ago.

Shankland's goals will please his manager Steven Naismith, who was a reliable goalscorer himself back in his day, and the boss will have been pleased to see the response his side has made to losing their League Cup semi-final to Rangers a few weeks ago.

This fine run of form has moved Hearts up to fourth, three points clear in the Championship Group with a game still in hand.

The Scottish international's goals have been incredibly important for the Edinburgh club, as they have only managed 13 in 13 games this season, but seven clean sheets so far in all competition suggests that despite his career as a striker, Naismith is adept at making his team solid defensively.

After a group stage appearance in the Europa Conference League last season, Hearts will have eyes on returning to continental action proper next season, after losing in qualifying this time around.

Kilmarnock Scottish Premiership form:

W

W

L

W

L

D

Hearts Scottish Premiership form:

D

L

L

W

W

W

Hearts form (all competitions):

L

L

W

L

W

W

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Team News

Kilmarnock will be able to welcome Northern Irish international Bradley Lyons back to the side for this encounter, after he was suspended for the draw with Ross County after an accumulation of yellow cards.

Kyle Magennis and Tom Davies are set to remain sidelined at the back, though, with Innes Cameron also out injured in attack for McInnes's side.

Hearts loanee Odel Offiah's time at the club could soon be over, as multiple medical issues, including one regarding his heart, has prevented him from featuring much since arriving from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Elsewhere in defence, right-back Nathaniel Atkinson and Craig Halkett remain long-term absentees, along with goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who is still on the mend after breaking his leg on Christmas Eve last year.

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:

Dennis; Mayo, Wright, Findlay, Deas; Armstrong, Donnelly, Watson, McKenzie, Kennedy; Watkins

Hearts possible starting lineup:

Clark; Kingsley, Kent, Rowles; Forrest, Grant, Baningime, Lowry, Cochrane; Shankland, Boyce

We say: Kilmarnock 1-1 Hearts

While showing fine form at home in winning their last three games, Hearts should represent a tough challenge for Kilmarnock here.

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