Preview: Ross County vs. Hearts - prediction, team news, lineups

Ross County will attempt to move off the foot of the Scottish Premiership table when they host Hearts at the Global Energy Stadium on Sunday.

The home side arrive into this one following a defeat away to Kilmarnock, while Hearts travel to Dingwall fresh from winning against RFS in the Europa Conference League.

Match preview

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Ross County have endured a frustrating start to the season under Malky Mackay and sit bottom of the Scottish Premiership on nine points with 12 matches played.

The Staggies have been poor in front of goal, scoring just six times across the campaign and have the worst offensive output in the division, which has provoked frustration amongst their supporters.

In their last outing, Ross County were on the end of a 1-0 defeat away to Kilmarnock as a goal from Danny Armstrong was enough to gift the home team a slender victory and condemn the visitors to another week of propping up the league table.

Ross County have won just once in their last nine fixtures in all competitions, with their last triumph coming against Livingston in early October.

Mackay will be looking for a strong performance this weekend due to the impending risk of his side being cut adrift in the Scottish Premiership if results do not improve.

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Hearts have tailed off in the Scottish Premiership in recent weeks following an initially positive start and make the trip to the Global Energy Stadium with a point to prove this weekend.

The Jambos occupy seventh position in the league table, and have picked up just one point from their last three fixtures in the division amid some underwhelming performances.

Nevertheless, their exploits in the Europa Conference League during the week will give Robbie Neilson hope that the tide can turn concerning their domestic form.

On Thursday night, goals from Lawrence Shankland and Andy Halliday secured a 2-1 victory over RFS at Tynecastle in a match where they put on an entertaining display.

Should Hearts follow this up with a victory over Ross County, they could move as high as fifth in the table, depending on other results.

Team News

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Ross County will be without Ben Purrington due to the defender sustaining an ankle injury against Dundee United earlier this month.

Alex Samuel and Connor Randall will both also be out for the visit of Hearts as the pair are suffering from long-term injuries. David Cancola risks suspension for the hosts if he picks up a booking during the match.

For the visitors, Robbie Neilson is still without several senior players for the trip to the Global Energy Stadium. Stephen Kingsley is a doubt for Hearts due to tweaking his hamstring in the win over RFS during the week.

Hearts are still without the lengthy list of Beni Baningime, Liam Boyce, Craig Halkett, Peter Haring, Nathaniel Atkinson, Kye Rowles, Cammy Devlin, Stephen Humphrys and Gary Mackay-Steven for the match this weekend.

Ross County possible starting lineup:

Laidlaw; Johnson, Baldwin, Iacovitti, Harmon; Cancola, Tillson; Hiwula, Callachan, Edwards; White

Hearts possible starting lineup:

Gordon; Smith, Sibbick, Neilson, Cochrane; Snodgrass, Halliday; Ginnelly, Kiomourtzoglou, McKay; Shankland

We say: Ross County 0-1 Hearts

In a match between two teams looking to get their season moving in the right direction, we expect a tight affair that could be decided by a solitary goal.

In light of this, Hearts will emerge with a crucial three points at the Global Energy Stadium and give themselves some momentum as they chase continental qualification.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.