Ross County v Hearts: Match preview and probable line-ups
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Craig Levein’s side won last time they visited Victoria Park, thanks to goals from Jamie Walker and Isma Goncalves, whereas County haven’t recorded a home win since November 4.
Owen Coyle’s side did win their last league match emphatically, putting four past Dundee at Dens Park, but have won just two home games this season.
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Hide AdHearts will make the trip to the Highlands without the services of Harry Cochrane, Rory Currie and Jamie Brandon, with the club fearing the latter may not kick a ball for the remainder of the season after he sustained a knee injury in a development league game.
Steven Naismith is a doubt due to tendonitis, and his absence will leave Hearts short of attacking options on the bench, with just Euan Henderson available.
Captain Christophe Berra will make his 150th league appearance for Hearts and is urging his team to earn the right to win matches.
Berra said: “We’re nowhere near the finished article and we can improve drastically. That’s what we’re all striving to do – finish the season strongly.
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Hide Ad“I’m sure the gaffer will try to get more players of his type in for next season. At the moment, we can only look to each game as they come.”
County will be without five players; Tony Dingwall, Sean Kelly and Jamie Lindsay are all out with knee injuries while Greig Tansey is suffering with a groin complaint and Andrew Davies is sidelined with a calf strain.
Last five meetings: Hearts 0-0 Ross County; Ross County 1-2 Hearts; Hearts 0-1 Ross County; Ross County 2-2 Hearts; Hearts 0-0 Ross County
Likely Ross County team: (4-4-2): Fox; Naismith, H Souttar, Fontaine, Fraser; Kait, Routis, O’Brien, Keillor-Dunn; Schalk, N’Gog. Subs from: McCarey, Melbourne, Chow, Dow, Gardyne, Eagles, Curran, Mckay, Effiong.
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Hide AdLikely Hearts team (3-5-1-1): McLaughlin; J Souttar, Hughes, Berra; M Smith, Callachan, Adao, Djoum, MItchell; Milinkovic; Lafferty. Subs from: Hamilton, Randall, Amankwaa, Buaben, Irving, Martin, Moore, McDonald, Henderson.
Referee: Craig Thomson
Kick-off: 12.30pm
Odds: Ross County 12/5 Draw 119/50 Hearts 141/100 (Odds correct at the time of writing)