Arbroath v Hearts: team news, starting XI, how to watch, match odds

Hearts travel north on Friday to face Arbroath as they look to build on their impressive 6-2 hammering of Dundee on the opening weekend of the Championship season.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Red Lichties may be part-time but under Dick Campbell’s management they have proven themselves to be a very handy team, finishing fifth in last season’s Championship.

They did not fare as well as Robbie Neilson’s men last week, going down 3-0 to Raith Rovers – a game watched by the Hearts boss.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

For Hearts, this is another big game to help build towards next week’s massive Scottish Cup semi final against Hibs at Hampden Park.

Hearts team news: Steven Naismith is fit having sat on the bench for the league opener due to concerns over his hamstring. John Souttar and Christophe Berra are making progress in their recovery from injuries. Loic Damour has required an injection for a heel issue.

Likely XI: Gordon; Smith, Halkett, Popescu, Kingsley; Irving, Lee; Ginnelly, Walker, Roberts; Boyce.

Arbroath team news: Dick Campbell will be without captain and star centre-back Thomas O’Brien following his red card in the defeat to Raith Rovers last weekend. Former Hearts youngster and left-back Colin Hamilton is a doubt.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Likely XI: Gaston; Thomson, Little, Gold, Craigen; McKenna, Swankie, Virtanen, Stewart; Linn, Hilson.

Hearts make the trip to Gayfield on Friday evening. Picture: SNSHearts make the trip to Gayfield on Friday evening. Picture: SNS
Hearts make the trip to Gayfield on Friday evening. Picture: SNS

Match details: 7.45pm kick-off, Gayfield, Arbroath.

How to watch: For the second week running the game is available live on BBC Scotland channel. The programme starts at 7.30pm.

Last meeting: The teams met five years ago in the League Cup in front of more than 6,000 fans at Tynecastle when Robbie Neilson was in his first spell as Hearts boss. Arbroath opened the scoring but the home side ran out 4-2 winners with Osman Sow scoring a double, Jordan McGhee getting on the scoresheet plus a late own goal.

Key stat: Club legend Jim Jefferies was captain the last time these sides met in league duty in 1980. Hearts won 1-0 at Tynecastle Park through a Malcolm Robertson goal on their way to winning the First Division and promotion back to the top flight.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Referee: Greg Aitken - All three Hearts matches the whistler oversaw last season ended in draws. It will be just his eighth time officiating the Tynecastle side.

Match odds: Arbroath 6/1 Draw 10/3 Hearts 4/9 (odds via McBookie)

Read More
Craig Gordon: Hearts must focus on Arbroath - not Hibs

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our sports coverage with a digital sports subscription.

Related topics: