Falkirk v Hearts team news and probable line-ups: Key man could return | possible formation change for Hearts | different goalkeeper to start?

Everything you need to know ahead of Saturday's cup tie

Hearts travel to Falkirk on Saturday evening looking to make it to the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup.

Daniel Stendel's men are licking their wounds having experienced the first defeat of 2020, going down 3-2 to Kilmarnock in a manic game where the visitors led 3-0 until the last 15 minutes, only for the hosts to come very close to accomplishing an improbable comeback.

On paper Falkirk is the best sort of opponent for Hearts to face. The League One side were heavily fancied favourites for the third-tier title following last season's relegation, but they currently trail Raith Rovers at the top of the table and on their second management team of the season. The visitors are expected to advance without much fuss.

Hearts manager Daniel Stendel. Picture: SNS

However, Hearts fans need no reminder of how tricky cup ties in Falkirk can be. Ian McCall's side famously humiliated their SPL opponents in 2003, winning 4-0 with Collin Samuel grabbing a hat-trick. Over seven years later Jim Jefferies' side met a similar fate in the League Cup, coming back from 2-0 down to lead 3-2, only to lose 4-3 with the last kick of the game.

Even though there are two tiers between the sides, Stendel will know his defence will have to play better than in the previous two games, where they shipped six goals to St Johnstone and Killie.

The manager has spoken of possibly changing the formation to help his side keep clean sheets. He does not, however, look ready to drop goalkeeper Joel Pereira, who has struggled in each of the last two.

Falkirk team news: January signing Ben Hall is cup-tied and unavailable to play after appearing for Partick Thistle earlier in the competition.

Probable Falkirk team: Mutch; Doyle, Buchanan, Durnan, Dixon; Connolly, Miller, Gomis, Todd; Longridge, McManus.

Hearts team news: Michael Smith is expected to return to the squad after Wednesday night came too soon for the versatile Northern Irish international. He was put up for media duties by the club before the game, which would certainly suggest his involvement. Toby Sibbick remains a doubt with illness. Aaron Hickey is likely to stay on the sidelines along with long-term absentee Peter Haring.

Probable Hearts team: Pereira; Clare, Halkett, Souttar, White; Irving, Smith; Washington, Naismith, Walker; Boyce.

Key clash: The Hearts defence, led by vice-captain John Souttar, can't afford to make any daft mistakes and allow the hosts an early goal. If they do the crowd will get right into the game, the Falkirk players will get a lift and the visitors may panic given their current predicament in the league. Trying to help force those mistakes will be Declan McManus. The former Ross County attacker has netted 19 goals this campaign.

Last meeting: The two sides last met in the 2014/15 Scottish Championship season where Hearts - who had their unbeaten record broken by Falkirk in the previous meeting - defeated the hosts 3-0 at the Falkirk Stadium. The goalscorers were Jamie Walker, Genero Zeefuik and James Keatings for Robbie Neilson's champions elect.

Referee: John Beaton takes charge of his third Hearts game of the campaign. It was mixed fortunes in the other two. The Jambos came back from a goal down to defeat rivals Hibs at Easter Road, but lost meekly to Rangers 3-0 in the Betfred Cup semi-final six weeks later.

Odds: Falkirk 15/4 Draw 3/1 Hearts 4/6