Hearts vs RFS Prediction & Tips
Only victory, and a favorable result in the other game in this UEFA Europa Conference League group, could be enough for Hearts if they are to reach the European spring still alive in Europe for the first time since the 1988/89 season. Two heavy defeats to Fiorentina left them on the ropes with just one win in the group, and leave Robbie Neilson’s side with twice as many goals conceded as their Group A rivals.
That defensive fragility has left the home side in serious trouble, as Hearts have failed to win any of their last six competitive matches (E1, P5), conceding 20 goals in those games and including a 4-3 loss to Celtic last weekend that dropped them out of the top six in the Scottish Premiership. On only two occasions have Hearts kept a clean sheet this season, but one was in the first leg between these teams, so the third could come in this fixture.
Riga FS arrive in Edinburgh needing to win to keep any remote chance of staying alive, but the Latvian champions will probably be thinking more about saving their pride and getting their first win in a European group stage. It has been a tough continental campaign for Viktors Morozs’ side, with their only UECL goal coming against Fiorentina three rounds ago, and that is something they must improve on if they are to get anything out of their first trip to Scotland.
At least Rigas snapped their three-game winless streak in domestic competition with a 4-0 win over Super Nova last weekend, a resounding response after losing the Latvian Cup final. They have lost just one of their last 15 league games (G9, E5), form that the Latvian side will be hoping can help them improve on the huge success of the 1-1 draw against Fiorentina that kicked off their run in this European group stage.
Players to watch: Lawrence Shankland scored in the first leg and grabbed all three goals in his side’s loss to Celtic last weekend. Rigas will have their biggest weapon in Andrej Ilić, who has scored the team’s only UECL goal and has never lost when scoring for the Latvian champions (G16, E4).
Key stat: Only three of Hearts’ last 11 matches ended in goals for both teams.
Hearts – RFS FREE TIPS
OVER 2.5 GOALS @ 2.25
