Hearts will travel up to Pittodrie this weekend for a potentially pivotal game in the race for European football. The away side currently have a seven-point gap on their hosts and a five-point lead on Hibs for the much-coveted third-place spot. However, those deficits could be reduced to four and two points, respectively if things really go against them this weekend.
It’s been a long time since Hearts have won in the north east – May 2016 to be precise – but they’ll be buoyed going into this one by the return of some key figures who missed out on both the league and Scottish Cup encounter with Celtic through injury.
This is the team we believe Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson will go with...
. EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - OCTOBER 06: Orestis Kiomourtzoglou in action for Hearts during a UEFA Europa Conference League match between Heart of Midlothian and Fiorentina at Tynecastle, on October 06, 2022, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)
Hearts predicted XI for the match with Aberdeen. Photo: Ross Parker - SNS Group
. GK – ZANDER CLARK
Will be buoyed by his Scotland squad selection. Photo: Mark Scates - SNS Group
. RCB – TOBY SIBBICK
Will either be Sibbick or James Hill at right centre-back. We're opting for the former. Photo: Ross Parker - SNS Group
. CB – KYE ROWLES
Australian international will anchor the back three. Photo: Mark Scates - SNS Group
9. LWB – ALEX COCHRANE
Another who is expected back in the squad following a couple of games missed through injury. Photo: Paul Devlin - SNS Group
10. FC – LAWRENCE SHANKLAND
Scotland's loss is Hearts' gain. After this he'll get a couple of weeks off to rest and be sure he's ready for the run in. Photo: Paul Devlin - SNS Group
11. FC – JOSH GINNELLY
Has been in great form this year, including a double against Aberdeen in January. Photo: Ross Parker - SNS Group