Hearts vs Rapid Vienna predictions: Braga to inspire hosts in 6/1 Bet Builder
Elliott Bretland
Hearts lost to Benfica 7-2 on aggregate in Europa League qualifying
Rapid Vienna beat GAK 1902 8-0 in the Austrian Bundesliga on Sunday
Recommended Bet: Hearts to win, both teams to score & Claudio Braga anytime goalscorer
Hearts head into Thursday’s UEFA Conference League qualifying clash with Rapid Vienna hoping to salvage their place in European competition.
The Jam Tarts pushed Celtic for the Scottish Premiership title last season and, after finishing second in the table, sealed a spot in Champions League qualifying.
However, they proceeded to be well beaten by Sturm Graz before being ousted by Portuguese giants Benfica after dropping down to the Europa League.
Now left with a shot at reaching the Conference League, Hearts take on a Rapid Vienna side who have won all four of their qualifying matches.
The latest Hearts vs Rapid Vienna odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Hearts will be without left-back Stephen Kingsley, who has a hamstring issue, as well as defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott due to an ankle problem.
Craig Halkett is a long-term absentee with an Achilles injury while Eduardo Ageu is yet to return to training following a thigh problem.
Rapid Vienna are set to be without French striker Claudy Mbuyi due to a muscle strain. Andrija Radulovic has been sidelined since April while Daniel Nunoo last featured in March due to a hamstring injury.
The latest Hearts vs Rapid Vienna odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Hearts have scored in each of their last five games after firing a blank in their opening two matches.
Rapid Vienna have scored a total of 16 goals in their last four games across all competitions.
The Jam Tarts have won two and drawn one after starting the season with four straight losses.
Rapid Vienna beat Dundee United on penalties in Conference League qualifying last season.
The latest Hearts vs Rapid Vienna odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
It appeared Hearts needed time to get over the heartache of last season when they kicked off the current campaign with four straight defeats.
The Jam Tarts pushed Celtic all the way in the Scottish Premiership title race but had to settle for second place after a final-day defeat against the Bhoys.
A place in Champions League qualifying was the reward but Hearts lost 6-0 on aggregate to Sturm Graz before going down 6-1 against Benfica in the first leg of their subsequent Europa League qualifier.
However, Wouter Vrancken’s men will have taken confidence from holding the Eagles to a 1-1 draw in the second leg and now face Rapid Vienna in the Conference League.
The two sides come into the game on the back of big wins - the Jam Tarts thrashing Inverness Caledonian Thistle 6-2 in the Scottish League Cup while the Green-Whites beat GAK 1902 8-0 in the Austrian Bundesliga on Sunday.
Hearts, with home advantage and a huge desire to compete in the league phase, should win this, although both teams are likely to get on the scoresheet.
Rapid Vienna have scored 16 goals in four matches while Hearts have kept only one clean sheet in seven games.
Claudio Braga has scored in two of Hearts’ last three matches after hitting 17 goals last season and could prove a smart bet to net anytime on Thursday.
Score prediction: Hearts 2-1 Rapid Vienna
Back Hearts to win, both teams to score & Claudio Braga anytime goalscorer @ 6/1 with LiveScore Bet
