Hamilton Academical vs Hearts Match Analysis & Prediction
10/02/2023 10:45 pm
Hearts will continue their quest for Scottish FA Cup silverware on Friday night when they travel to the Fountain of Youth Stadium to face Hamilton Academical.
At a time when the hosts are down in 10 place in the Scottish Championship, their visitors find themselves in third position in the Scottish Premiership.
As far as Hamilton are concerned, they have finally found some form this season, coming through their last six matches without suffering defeat.
In sharp contrast, 12 defeats had been recorded in their previous 17 matches, and John Rankin finally appears to be getting the best out of his squad after having faith placed in him by the club’s hierarchy at New Douglas Park.
Although Hamilton remain seven points adrift of safety, they will want to enjoy this occasion, particularly having already defeated top-flight opposition in the previous round.
Rankin witnessed his side hold Ross County to a goalless draw before prevailing in a penalty shootout, and they head into this tie having conceded just twice in five matches across all competitions.
Hearts’ two main priorities for the second half of the season are securing another third-placed finish in the Premiership and enjoying another prolonged cup run.
Occupying a spot in the last 16 of the cup, they will feel that they should be progressing much further having claimed a 3-0 victory at neighbours Hibernian in the previous round.
However, there is still work to do in the top flight, the gap to fourth place sitting at seven points but having played a game more than Livingston.
Robbie Neilson would have been pleased to see his side end a two-game winless run last time out by beating Dundee United 3-1.
Despite conceding first, Hearts scored three times in the final 19 minutes to register a much-needed victory, although they remain 19 points adrift of Rangers who occupy second place.
Hamilton Academical vs. Hearts Head to head
In the 25 previous meetings between these two teams, Hamilton have claimed six victories while Hearts have won 14, and they have drawn in five. Hearts have scored 47 goals and conceded 24 in the process.
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26/12/2018Hearts2Hamilton Academical0Premiership
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16/03/2019Hamilton Academical1Hearts0Premiership
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31/08/2019Hearts2Hamilton Academical2Premiership
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21/12/2019Hamilton Academical2Hearts1Premiership
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15/02/2020Hearts2Hamilton Academical2Premiership
Hamilton Academical Team News
Hamilton will be forced into at least one change with Connor Smith unable to play against his parent club, who he left to join the hosts on loan on January 28.
Lewis Smith appears most likely to replace him in the final third, while Dario Zanatta is an option to get the nod over Chris McGinn at left wing-back.
Hamilton Academical 's Last 5 Matches
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14/01/2023Hamilton Academical1Greenock Morton0Championship
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21/01/2023Hamilton Academical(P)0Ross County0FA Cup
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28/01/2023Partick Thistle0Hamilton Academical1Championship
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04/02/2023Hamilton Academical1Dundee1Championship
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07/02/2023Hamilton Academical(E)2Queens of the South1Challenge Cup
Hearts Team News
Hearts will be without key man Lawrence Shankland, who was sent off in the closing minutes of the game against Hibernian in the previous round.
Josh Ginnelly was also dismissed against Dundee United, with Stephen Humphrys and Garang Kuol most likely to be handed opportunities in the attack.
Hearts's Last 5 Matches
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18/01/2023Hearts5Aberdeen0Premiership
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22/01/2023Hibernian0Hearts3FA Cup
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29/01/2023Livingston0Hearts0Premiership
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01/02/2023Hearts0Rangers3Premiership
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04/02/2023Hearts3Dundee United1Premiership
Hamilton Academical vs. Hearts: Odds and Predictions
Main Prediction
1X2: 2
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