Hearts v RFS: TV channel; kick-off time; team news; form guide; odds

Hearts continue their Europa Conference League campaign at home to RFS from Latvia on Thursday. Here is all you need to know:

Match details

Who: Hearts v Rigas Futbola Skola. What: Europa Conference League Group A. Where: Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh. When: Thursday, October 27. Kick-off 8pm. Referee: Bram Van Driessche (Belgium) will be assisted by compatriots Yves De Neve and Kevin Monteny.

TV and ticket info

Hearts take on RFS at Tynecastle Park in their final home match in Group A of the Europa Conference League. Picture: Mark Scates / SNS

The match is live on BT Sport 3. Coverage begins at 7.30pm. BBC Sportsound will provide updates on radio and via the BBC Sounds app. A limited number of tickets are still available, from £33 per adult.

Permutations

Both teams could be out of the tournament before they take the field if Fiorentina manage to beat group leaders Istanbul Basaksehir at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in the 5.45pm kick-off. Any other outcome leaves Hearts and RFS requiring a result to keep slender hopes of qualification for the knockout stage alive, with the final round of matches to come next week.

Team news

Striker Stephen Humphrys is an injury doubt after picking up a knock against Celtic. Defender Michael Smith and winger Josh Ginnelly were also withdrawn against Celtic with cramp and will be assessed ahead of kick-off. Peter Haring should return after concussion. Centre-backs Craig Halkett and Kye Rowles are not expected to be risked despite starting running at Riccarton after recent hamstring and foot injuries respectively. Lewis Neilson is available after suspension but Robert Snodgrass isn't in the European squad and won't feature.

Form guide

Currently third in the Latvia league after 33 games, RFS won 4-0 at bottom-of-the-table Super Nova on Sunday, but lost the Latvian Cup final 1-0 to Auda last midweek and had a man sent off. Hearts have lost five of their last six games and have conceded 20 goals in the process, which is symptomatic of the defensive upheaval caused by injuries to key players.

Head-to-head

Hearts won the previous meeting 2-0 in Riga last month, thanks to goals Lawrence Shankland's first-half penalty before the break and Alan Forrest's strike in stoppage time. The visitors did have goalkeeper Craig Gordon to thank at points, especially for tipping one effort on to the woodwork.

Manager thoughts

Hearts boss Robbie Neilson said: “It’s interesting, when you watch their (RFS’s) away games recently away to Fiorentina and Istanbul; they really sat in and defended. On Thursday night will be a lot different because they need a result if they’re hoping to qualify. They play different styles, so we’ll see whether they change their system to reflect how they might play at home. We’ll wait and see.

Bookies’ odds

Hearts 8/11; Draw 14/5; RFS 7/2, with McBookie.