Ayr United v Hearts: Team news, starting XI, match odds, how to watch live

Hearts travel to Ayr United on Friday night. Picture: SNS

The team’s 12-point lead at the top of the table was cut to nine on Wednesday with Dunfermline Athletic’s 4-1 win over Raith Rovers at East End Park in the Fife derby.

Hearts will be able to re-open such a lead with a win over the Honest Men, while taking another step closer to securing the Championship title and returning to the Premiership.

Since defeat to Raith Rovers in Gorgie two weeks ago, Hearts have responded strongly with back-to-back wins and back-to-back clean sheets, defeating Raith 4-0 in Kirkcaldy before edging out Dunfermline at Tynecastle 1-0.

Since the club were last in action it was confirmed that Josh Ginnelly’s season had ended due to injury, Jordan Roberts and Lewis Moore departed and Neilson added two new signings in Gervane Kastaneer and Aaron McEneff.

Opponents Ayr have had a middling season so far but have put themselves in a strong position for the play-offs, just three points behind Dundee.

Team news: Josh Ginnelly was ruled out for the season last week, while John Souttar and Jamie Brandon remain long-term absentees. Armand Gnanduillet is building towards a full 90 minutes, while there will likely be involvement for new boys Gervane Kastaneer and Aaron McEneff. Jamie Walker started on the bench for the win over Dunfermline due to a groin issue but could retrun to the starting XI after a decisive involvement off the bench.

Possible starting XI: Gordon; Smith, Popescu, Halkett, Kingsley; Irving, Halliday, Naismith; Walker, Mackay-Steven; Boyce.

What Neilson said: “I’ve won this league twice before and, believe me, there are a lot of games like that where you just need to grind it. The surfaces aren’t going to be conducive to brilliant, free-flowing football.

“Teams go direct, it’s knockdowns, it’s free-kicks, it’s corners, it’s second balls. You need to keep a foothold in the game and we were in that position last Saturday.

Match details: Friday, February 5. Kick-off 7.45pm, Somerset Park, Ayr.

How to watch: The match is being shown live on BBC Scotland with coverage starting at 7.30pm. Post-match coverage finishes at 10pm.

Last meeting: The teams faced each other at Tynecastle Park on Boxing Day in what was an eventful match with eight goals scored. The home side took the lead through Stephen Kingsley but a quick-fire double from the visitors saw them lead on the hour mark. Hearts hit back with four goals in 13 minutes, including a double from Craig Wighton. Ayr netted a late consolation.

Key stat: Saturday will be the club’ 46th meeting at Ayr with Hearts holding a slender advantage, winning 17 times.

Referee: Steven McLean – It will be the official’s second match in charge of the Tynecastle side this campaign. He was the man in the middle when Hearts defeated Inverness CT in the Betfred Cup 1-0. McLean awarded Robbie Neilson’s men a penalty which Jamie Walker converted.

Match odds: Ayr 19/4 Draw 16/5 Hearts 8/15