Hearts return to action just 68 days after their heartbreaking defeat at Celtic, which saw them miss out on the Scottish title.
The following two months have brought plenty of change for the Jambos, with manager Derek McInnes departing for Rangers last month, along with captain Lawrence Shankland.
Hearts have turned to former Sint-Truiden boss Wouter Vrancken to succeed him and his first game in charge is a tricky one, as the Jambos play their first UEFA Champions League fixture in 20 years on Tuesday night away to Austrian side Sturm Graz.
Sturm Graz v Hearts Tips Summary
Best Bet - Both teams to score @ 8/11
Alternative Bet - Sturm Graz to win 2-1 @ 8/1
Bet Builder - Sturm Graz to win, both teams to score, Otar Kiteishvili to score anytime @ 9/2
Sturm Graz v Hearts Prediction
Best Bet: Both teams to score @ 8/11
While Hearts missed their chance at glory last season, it isn’t expected to be their last. The addition of Brighton owner Tony Bloom, who has enlisted Jamestown Analytics to boost Hearts’ data-led recruitment approach, suggests they’re a club on the rise.
Vrancken has the kind of background that should make the transition to Scottish football easier. He took an unfancied Sint-Truiden side to third in Belgium last term, so he’s capable of breaking up an established order.
His early reign has brought a 2-1 loss to Livingston and 2-1 victories over Arbroath and Rayo Vallecano in preseason friendlies. The goals should continue on Tuesday, as five of Sturm Graz’s last six matches last term saw both teams score.
The hosts gave up 14.0 Expected Goals across eight matches in the Europa League’s League Phase last term, while they faced at least four shots on target in each of their four home matches.
While Hearts have lost Shankland in attack, it would be tough to bet against their summer arrivals under Bloom’s watch. Star man Claudio Braga has stayed at the club, and he should be capable of causing problems for Sturm Graz.
Alternative Bet: Sturm Graz to win 2-1 @ 8/1
Vrancken’s European record is solid, having won 12 of 24 matches across all continental competitions with Genk and Gent. However, his new side have been handed a difficult tie to begin with.
Sturm Graz faced Rangers and Celtic in the League Phase of the Europa League last season, beating the Gers 2-1 at home before losing to Celtic in Glasgow by the same scoreline.
The Austrian side have lost all nine of their European away trips since the start of the 2024/25 season, but they’ve won five and drawn one of their nine home matches in the same timeframe.
This is the earliest that Sturm Graz have started a European campaign since 2019, and the dethroned Austrian champions should ultimately prove too strong.
All five of their home wins since 2024 have finished either 1-0 or 2-1, and with Hearts backed to score, a 2-1 home victory appeals at 8/1.
Sturm Graz v Hearts Bet Builder Tip
Sturm Graz to win
Both teams to score
Otar Kiteishvili to score anytime
Pays 9/2
With Sturm Graz backed to win 2-1, a home win and both teams to score appeals. The Austrian side won and conceded in home clashes with Rangers and Bodo/Glimt last term, and they can edge out this Hearts side.
Kiteishvili struck 18 goals across the league and Europa League for Sturm Graz last season, finishing as their top scorer in both competitions. The Georgian forward scored in both of their home victories in last season’s League Phase of the Europa League, and he can cap off another Sturm Graz win.
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Key Match Stats
Both teams scored in five of Sturm Graz’s final six games last season
The hosts have won five of their nine home European games across the previous two seasons
However, all five of those wins have come by a one-goal margin
This is Hearts’ first UEFA Champions League game since playing in the qualifiers in 2006
Sturm Graz beat Rangers 2-1 at home in the Europa League last season, losing by the same scoreline away to Celtic
Kiteishvili was Sturm Graz’s top scorer in both the Austrian Bundesliga and Europa League last season
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
