Steven Naismith intimated in a midweek interview with the Edinburgh News that he would choose different formations for different matches this season. We may, therefore, see the three-man central defence flipped to a four at Kilmarnock on Saturday.
If so, Naismith must decide where and how to accommodate both Stephen Kingsley and Alex Cochrane in that system - or which one should be left on the substitutes' bench. Both have been in excellent form. There could be a return for Yutaro Oda after his industrious display as a sub last week against St Johnstone.
Hearts can move to third in the Premiership table if they win at Rugby Park, so there is plenty resting on the outcome of this game. Here is the predicted Hearts starting line-up in a 4-2-3-1 formation:
5. LB: Stephen Kingsley
Could switch from the right of a back three to the left of a back four. | SNS Group
7. CM: Calem Nieuwenhof
Seemed more energetic against St Johnstone in central midfield. | SNS Group
8. AMR: Yutaro Oda
Been waiting for a chance to start and that could come in East Ayrshire. | SNS Group