Preview:Hearts vs Motherwell - prediction, team news, lineups

Hearts will aim to extend their perfect start to the Scottish Premiership season when they take on Motherwell for a matchday three clash on Saturday.

The hosts have won each of their opening two league fixtures, while the visitors have recorded draws in both of their opening Scottish Premiership games.

Match preview

Hearts endured a challenging 2024-25 season, slipping from three consecutive finishes in the European spots to seventh place in the standings.

A managerial change toward the end of the last campaign saw Liam Fox take charge on an interim basis, with former Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes hired to lead the side into this term.

The Jambos have made a strong start to the new season under McInnes's rule, winning six and losing only one of their seven competitive fixtures - with their sole defeat coming on penalties against St Mirren after a 1-1 draw in the second round of the Scottish League Cup.

Looking to bounce back from that defeat and maintain their perfect start to the Scottish Premiership campaign - having defeated Aberdeen 2-0 and Dundee United 3-2 - McInnes's side now face Motherwell.

The Steelmen also had a managerial change over the summer, with Michael Wimmer opting to depart the club to return to Germany, meaning Motherwell appointed Jens Berthel Askou to take the helm.

Askou led the side to three wins and one draw in the Scottish League Cup group stage, followed by back-to-back draws to start the league season.

The Steelmen's stalemate run continued in normal time of the Scottish League Cup second round as they were taken to extra-time by St Johnstone, where a Lukas Fadinger goal eventually gave them the victory.

Askou will now be desperate for his men to build on that late victory over the Saints and secure their first three points of the league campaign.

Motherwell have struggled in their recent visits to Tynecastle Park, with the Steelmen suffering defeat in all of their last three away matches against Hearts.

Hearts Scottish Premiership form:

W W

Hearts form (all competitions):

D W W W W W

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:

D D

Motherwell form (all competitions):

W D D W W W

Team News

Hearts are without a number of players for this match due to ongoing injury issues, including Calem Nieuwenhof, Craig Gordon, Finlay Pollock, Jamie McCart and Kenneth Vargas.

Stuart Findlay has made a remarkable start to the season for the Jambos, with the defender scoring three of Hearts's five league goals, and McInnes will be hoping for more of the same on Saturday.

As for Motherwell, Filip Stuparevic, Jordan McGhee, Sam Nicholson and Zach Robinson are all unable to feature on Saturday due to injury problems.

Fadinger scored the winning goal for the Steelmen in their Scottish League Cup second round tie, and the midfielder is expected to keep his place in the team alongside Elliot Watt.

Hearts possible starting lineup:

Clark; Kent, Halkett, Findlay; Forrest, McEntee, Devlin, Spittal, Milne; Shankland, Braga

Motherwell possible starting lineup:

Ward; Sparrow, O'Donnell, McGinn, Longelo; Fadinger, Watt; Said, Slattery, Just; Maswanhise

We say: Hearts 2-0 Motherwell

Hearts have enjoyed a strong start to the 2025-26 campaign under McInnes, and combined with their recent home record against the Steelmen, we expect the hosts to win this one and continue their flawless start to the league term.

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