Hearts are set to play host to Dundee on Friday evening for their quarter-final matchup in the Scottish FA Cup.
The hosts defeated St Mirren on penalties to advance to this stage, while the visitors comfortably progressed past Airdrieonians with a 4-0 win in the last round.
Match preview
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After enduring a challenging start to the 2024-25 season, which saw Hearts fail to win any of their first 10 matches across all competitions, the Jambos have been significantly improved in the subsequent months.
Steven Naismith was sacked following that start to the campaign, with Neil Critchley appointed as his successor, and the new boss has managed to turn things around for Hearts.
Critchley has led Hearts to 13 wins, five draws and 10 defeats from his 28 games at the helm, including a particularly impressive run of just two defeats from their last 12 outings, alongside eight wins and two draws.
That run included a 4-1 win against Brechin City in the Scottish FA Cup fourth round, followed by a tense penalty shootout victory over St Mirren after a 1-1 draw in the fifth round, securing their progression to this stage.
Hearts will now be looking to not only book their place in the Scottish FA Cup semi-finals, but also bounce back from a defeat to Edinburgh rivals Hibernian last time out.
Their opponents, Dundee, will be major underdogs heading into the matchup, as the Dark Blue have faced an extremely challenging 2024-25 season to date.
Tony Docherty‘s men occupy the relegation playoff place in the Scottish Premiership standings, placed 11th with 28 points from their 29 league fixtures, after seven wins, seven draws and 15 losses.
They have been particularly underwhelming in recent outings, failing to win any of their last eight league fixtures, suffering five defeats and recording three draws in that time.
However, the Scottish FA Cup has served as a source of positivity for the Dee throughout this season, brilliantly defeating rivals Dundee United 1-0 in the fourth round, followed by a comfortable 4-0 win over Airdrieonians in the fifth round.
While Dundee will aim to continue their encouraging cup run, the Dee have struggled against Hearts in recent meetings, including back-to-back losses in the last meetings with the Jambos.
Team News
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Hearts are likely to be without Cameron Devlin (concussion), Craig Halkett (hamstring), Frankie Kent (muscle), Stephen Kingsley (hamstring) and Yan Dhanda (hip) due to various fitness issues.
Critchley has named similar starting lineups in each of the last two rounds of the Scottish FA Cup, and the manager may keep faith in the side that has successfully guided Hearts to this round.
As for Dundee, Billy Koumetio (unspecified), Clark Robertson (hamstring), Juan Portales (calf), Scott Fraser (groin) and Sebastian Palmer-Houlden (knee) are all ruled out with injuries.
Dundee recorded a 1-1 draw with St Johnstone in their last outing, marking the end of their five-match losing streak in the league, and Docherty may decide to name a similar team in this one.
Simon Murray scored the equaliser in that match, taking his tally to 11 in the league and marking his third goal in successive matches, and the striker will lead the line on Friday.
Hearts possible starting lineup:
Gordon; Forrester, Neilson, McCart, Penrice; Forrest, Baningime, Devlin, Spittal; Kabangu, Shankland
Dundee possible starting lineup:
Carson; McGhee, Shaughnessy, Donnelly, Larkeche; Mulligan, Sylla, Garza; Adewumi, Murray, Cameron
We say: Hearts 2-0 Dundee
Hearts are enjoying an extremely strong run of form in recent weeks, while the visitors are enduring a challenging campaign, leading us to expect a comfortable victory for the hosts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
