Preview: Kilmarnock vs. Hearts - prediction, team news, lineups

Hearts face Kilmarnock on Sunday afternoon knowing that they need to put together a string of victories in order to kick-start their campaign.

At a time when the visitors sit in seventh position in the Scottish Premiership standings, Kilmarnock are down in 10th spot after just two wins in nine games.

Match preview

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Having started the season by collecting seven points from a possible nine, Hearts boss Robbie Nielson would have had high hopes for another notable campaign at Tynecastle.

However, since then, Hearts have suffered eight defeats in 11 outings, the most recent coming in the Europa Conference League as they went down 3-0 at home to Fiorentina.

The Edinburgh-based outfit also conceded four times in losing to Rangers in the fixture preceding that meeting with the Italian side, and Neilson will now recognise that he faces the most difficult period of his reign.

Although Hearts remain just six points adrift of second-placed Rangers in the table, their inconsistency is a growing concern ahead of the trip to Rugby Park.

These two teams are no strangers to each other this campaign with Kilmarnock running out 1-0 victors in a League Cup tie back in August.

That result has been one of the few highlights for Derek McInnes's side, who are back in the top flight after winning last season's Scottish Championship title.

Up until last week, Kilmarnock had collected just four points from eight matches, and defeat to St Johnstone would have left them cut adrift in the bottom three.

However, a double from Daniel Armstrong earned his side a much-needed 2-1 triumph, ensuring that Kilmarnock remain within three points of ninth position.

Each of Kilmarnock's seven points in the league have come from home fixtures, a statistic which will provide them with confidence ahead of another potentially-pivotal game in their season.

Team News

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Despite being the subject of an SFA investigation, Kyle Lafferty is expected to retain his spot in the Kilmarnock attack.

Barring any injury issues, McInnes appears likely to stick with the side which impressed against St Johnstone, leaving the likes of Joe Wright and Oli Shaw to remain on the substitutes' bench.

Hearts will be forced into at least one alteration with Cameron Devlin being sent off for two yellow cards against Rangers.

However, further changes are expected with the likes of Toby Sibbick and Gary Mackay-Steven both in line for recalls after starting the last two games among the replacements.

Nathaniel Atkinson could also start at right-back with Michael Smith having been withdraw through injury versus Fiorentina.

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:

Hemming; Mayo, Taylor, Stokes, Chrisene; Power, Alston; Armstrong, McKenzie, Jones; Lafferty

Hearts possible starting lineup:

Gordon; Atkinson, Sibbick, Kingsley, Cochrane; Forrest, Kiomourtzoglou, Devlin, Mackay-Steven; McKay; Shankland

We say: Kilmarnock 1-1 Hearts

On the back of their defeat to Fiorentina, it remains to be seen how Hearts will react to an away game three days later. Kilmarnock are on a high after their return to winning ways in their last outing, and the home side may do enough to earn a share of the spoils.

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