Intense match at Tynecastle Park
It’s always a lucky draw when you meet a team from Scotland in the European Cup. Admittedly, that doesn’t mean the Bravehearts will be easy in sporting terms, but in terms of atmosphere at football stadiums, the island is always worth a visit. On Thursday, Swiss champions FC Zurich will be in Edinburgh to take on Hearts of Midlothian for a ticket in the group stages of the Europa League.
The Zurich side narrowly won last week’s home game 2-1 when they visited St Gallen. That is anything but a resting place, however, as the Scots are not only very strong at home. Hearts will also demand everything from their opponents in terms of passion. Therefore, FCZ is in for a very intense game, which from our point of view will have an almost unpredictable outcome.
It is conceivable that there will be a similar course as in the first leg. Therefore, in the match between Hearts and FC Zurich, we would make a prediction for more than 2.5 goals and maybe goals from both teams.
Looking away from the Super League, there has been a slight upturn in form for the Swiss champions of late. It’s a slightly different story for the Scots, at least according to the results, but we still see the hosts ahead at Tynecastle Park and would rather place a tip on a win for the home side between Hearts and FC Zurich.
Hearts – Statistics & current form
When you’re a Scottish club not named Rangers or Celtic, it’s hard to go on long-term winning streaks, as the aforementioned clubs are always good for ending those streaks. That’s why third place in the Scottish Premier League is probably the highest of feelings for Hearts of Midlothian. Currently, Robbie Neilson’s team is in fourth place and can live with that very well.
Strong at Tynecastle Park
While there have been two defeats in a row recently, Hearts have been particularly good at home, winning three in a row at Tynecastle Park, albeit never without conceding a goal. However, to get into the group stage of the Europa League, they should see that they are defensively stable. If the Scots manage to do that, then we can imagine playing the odds on a home win in this second leg between Hearts and FC Zurich.
Last weekend the capitals had to play at Celtic Park in Glasgow. As expected, there was nothing to be gained there. However, Hearts kept the game even for a long time. After going behind early on, Robbie Neilson’s team only conceded the goal in the fourth minute of injury time to make the final score 0:2. Until then, they could still dream of a point.
The two red cards in the final phase for Alexander Cochrane and Toby Sibbick have no effect on the European Cup match on Thursday. Both defenders could play against FC Zurich. That leaves defender Craig Halkett and Beni Baningime as the only two absentees for Hearts of Midlothian in this landmark match.
Predicted Hearts line-up:
Stewart – Cochrane, Rowles, Sibbick, Atkinson – Haring, Halliday – Mackay-Steven, Boyce, Forrest – Ginnelly – Coach: Neilson
Last matches played by Hearts:
Premiership
21/08/2022 – Celtic Glasgow 2 – 0 Hearts
Europa League Qualifier
18/08/2022 – FC Zurich 2 – 1 Hearts
Premiership
14/08/2022 – Hearts 4 – 1 Dundee United
07/08/2022 – Hibernian 1 – 1 Hearts
30/07/2022 – Hearts 2 – 1 Ross County
FC Zurich – Statistics & current form
If you just take a look at the Swiss champions’ last four games, you’d think Franco Foda’s team are in very good form. After all, there have been three wins and a draw in the last four games. However, the opponents were also FC Linfield from Northern Ireland, promoted Winterthur in the Super League and Cham in the Swiss Cup.
Four games unbeaten
The other side of the coin is much rustier. In the qualification for the Champions League, FCZ failed early. In the Super League, the champions are at the bottom of the table with two points from the first five games. From there, you have to put form into perspective and that’s why we’re also prepared to make a prediction on Hearts progressing against FC Zurich.
Last weekend FC Zurich were guests of the underclass club Cham in the Swiss Cup. Usually, Cham plays against the second teams of the Super League. Therefore, the 4:0 victory of the Zurich team was nothing more than the fulfilment of a compulsory task. Aiyegun Tosin was the decisive man of the match with three goals. Bledian Krasniqi scored the 3:0 in the meantime.
Naturally, Franco Foda will now give the team a completely different look in the European Cup. This means that cup hero Aiyegun Tosin will probably only have a place on the bench. In general, FC Zurich can field its best team. All players should be fit for action. It is also possible that the young Italian international Wilfried Gnonto will return to the starting eleven.
Predicted line-up of FC Zurich:
Brecher – Mets, Omeragic, Kryeziu – Guerrero, Selnaes, Marchesano, Dzemaili, Boranijasevic – Avdijaj, Viunnyk – Coach: Foda
Last matches played by FC Zurich:
Cup
21/08/2022 – SC Cham 0 – 4 FC Zurich
Europa League Qualification
18/08/2022 – FC Zurich 2 – 1 Hearts
Super League
14/08/2022 – FC Winterthur 1 – 1 FC Zurich
Europa League Qualification
11/08/2022 – FC Zurich 3 – 0 Linfield FC
Super League
07/08/2022 – FC Zurich 0 – 3 FC Sion
Hearts – FC Zurich Direct comparison / H2H-balance
Last week the teams of Hearts of Midlothian and FC Zurich faced each other for the first time ever. The direct comparison is therefore not a reference we can keep in mind when assessing this match. Nevertheless, the Swiss won this match 2-1 in St. Gallen.
Early on, it looked as if Hearts would be able to lay the foundations for a place in the Europa League. After 22 minutes Lawrence Shankland gave his colours a 1-0 lead with a penalty. Before the break, however, Adrian Guerrero and Blerim Dzemaili turned the game around with a double strike to make it 2-1 early on.
Hearts – FC Zurich tip
The chances of advancing should be even in this duel. Both teams still have their chances after FCZ’s 2-1 win in the first leg. The problem for the Swiss is that although they are unbeaten in four games, they have also played rather weak teams, apart from the first leg against Hearts.
The Scots, on the other hand, have lost their last two games, albeit both away, in Switzerland and at Celtic Glasgow. The Scots, on the other hand, have won their last three home games and have made a good overall start to the Scottish Premier League.
There is also a lot to suggest that both teams will score and that the total will be more than 2.5 goals. The bottom line in our prediction is that the Scots’ home strength will be the deciding factor. In front of their home crowd, the hosts will do everything they can to make it into the Europa League. We have therefore decided to play the betting odds on the Scots progressing between Hearts of Midlothian and FC Zurich.
