Preview: Hamilton Academical vs. Hearts - prediction, team news, lineups

Hearts will continue their bid for Scottish FA Cup silverware on Friday night when they square off against Hamilton Academical.

At a time when the visitors are third in the Scottish Premiership, Hamilton find themselves down in 10th position in the Scottish Championship.

Match preview

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Hearts' two main priorities for the second half of the campaign are securing another third-placed finish in the top flight and enjoying another prolonged cup run.

Sitting in the last 16 of the cup, the Edinburgh-based side will feel that they should be progressing much further having posted a 3-0 victory at neighbours Hibernian in the previous round.

However, there is still work to do in the Scottish Premiership, the gap to fourth place sitting at seven points but having played a game more than Livingston.

Robbie Neilson would have been delighted to see his team end a two-game winless streak last time out by getting the better of Dundee United by a 3-1 scoreline.

Despite trailing, Hearts netted three times in the final 19 minutes to register a much-needed triumph, although they remain 19 points adrift of Rangers who occupy second spot.

As far as Hamilton are concerned, they have finally found some form in 2022-23, coming through their last six fixtures without suffering defeat.

In sharp contrast, 12 losses had been posted in their previous 17 games, and John Rankin finally appears to be getting the best out of his squad after having faith placed in him by the powers-that-be at New Douglas Park.

Although Academical remain seven points adrift of safety, they will want to enjoy this occasion, particularly having already defeated top-flight opposition in the previous round.

Rankin watched on as his side held Ross County to a goalless draw before prevailing in a penalty shootout, and they head into this encounter having conceded just twice in five games in all competitions.

Team News

Hamilton will be forced into at least one change with Connor Smith unable to square off against his parent club, who he left to join the home side on loan on January 28.

Lewis Smith appears most likely to replace him in the final third, while Dario Zanatta is an option to get the nod over Chris McGinn at left wing-back.

Meanwhile, Hearts will have to make do without key man Lawrence Shankland, who was sent off in the closing minutes of the triumph at Hibs in the previous round.

Josh Ginnelly, another player in the final third, was also dismissed versus Dundee, leaving Neilson to make two alterations in attack.

Garang Kuol and Stephen Humphrys appear most likely to be handed opportunities in the side.

Hamilton Academical possible starting lineup:

Fulton; Shiels, O'Reilly, McGowan; Owens, Martin, De Bolle, McGinn; L. Smith, Stephenson; Tiehi

Hearts possible starting lineup:

Clark, Hill, Sibbick, Rowles; Forrest, Halliday, Snodgrass, Kingsley; Kuol, McKay, Humphrys

We say: Hamilton Academical 1-3 Hearts

With Hamilton having impressed in the previous round and producing some of their best form of the season, they will fancy their chances of causing the upset. Nevertheless, Hearts should have too much quality in their ranks and should ride any storm to eventually post a win.

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