Hearts HUGE favourites to win Championship - but what chances of unbeaten league season?

The Jam Tarts get their league season underway in two weeks’ time

Hearts are expected to return to the Scottish Premiership at the first time of asking when the Championship season gets underway later this month.

Unsurprisingly the bookies make Robbie Neilson’s men red-hot favourites to claim the second tier title with a bit to spare, as they did back in season 2014/15 when they won the league with a record points total.

McBookie price a Hearts league win at just 1/7.

The Tynecastle side’s closest rivals are expected to be James McPake’s Dundee who are the opponents on opening day in two weeks’ time, a game which will be shown live on BBC.

The Jam Tarts have had a productive, albeit interrupted, pre-season to date, but have made a number of eye-catching signings and retain plenty of talent from the side which were relegated from the top-flight.

Romanian centre-back Mihai Popescu and midfielder Andy Halliday have been added to the squad recently, while Craig Gordon returned to the club to solve goalkeeping issues.

The squad share 180 international caps between them.

Hearts are expected to win the Championship. Picture: SNS

With the Championship season truncated at 27 games rather than the normal 36, there has been some talk of whether Hearts can go the season undefeated.

McBookie are offering 5/1 for Hearts to not suffer defeat in the 27 games.

Neilson’s men are set for a busy start to their competitive season with Betfred Cup action and the small matter of a Scottish Cup semi final against Hibs. Although they may not have to take part in the Challenge Cup.

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