Preview: Hearts vs. Aberdeen - prediction, team news, lineups

Two teams with 100% records still in tact in the Scottish Premiership go head to head on Sunday as Hearts host Aberdeen.

Both sides have won their opening two games, with the Jam Tarts in third and the Dons in second behind league leaders Hibernian on goal difference.

Match preview

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Hearts could not have asked for a better start to life back in the top flight, having returned following one season in the Championship.

Robbie Neilson's men opened the campaign with a 2-1 win over Celtic thanks to John Souttar's 89th-minute goal, before beating St Mirren by the same scoreline the following week.

Neilson has been keen to stress that it is "just a start" and that there is plenty of work left to do, but a win over last season's fourth-place finishers Aberdeen would certainly be another statement of intent.

The Edinburgh outfit did lose for the first time this season last weekend as Celtic got their revenge by knocking them out of the League Cup; the Bhoys won 3-2 at Celtic Park, as Hearts were dominated and conceded 72% possession and 36 shots.

The Jam Tarts won 11 and lost just two of their 14 home games on their way to the Championship title in 2020-21, so they will be eager to make Tynecastle a fortress once again, particularly with supporters back in attendance.

Aberdeen have not won on their last six visits to the Gorgie ground and were only victorious on six occasions on the road in the league last season.

It took a 94th-minute strike from Jack MacKenzie to secure a 2-1 win at Livingston in their last Premiership outing, after a comfortable 2-0 victory over Dundee United on the opening weekend.

Like Hearts, the Dons were knocked out of the League Cup last weekend, losing 2-1 to Championship side Raith Rovers, and also suffered defeat in the first leg of their Europa Conference League playoff away at FK Qarabag on Thursday.

Stephen Glass may have one eye on next week's second leg against the Azerbaijani outfit, as they look to come back from 1-0 down, but will also know that Sunday's trip to Edinburgh is a chance to restore some momentum ahead of the crunch fixture.

Team News

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Andy Halliday was taken off at half time against Celtic last week with an Achilles problem but is expected to be fit to feature for Hearts on Sunday.

Josh Ginnelly is in line for a recall, with Nielson likely to go back to a 3-4-3 formation which could mean Peter Haring drops out of the side.

Aaron McEneff came off the bench to net against Celtic so will be eager to claim a starting spot, but is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench for now.

Andy Considine was stretchered off against Qarabag on Thursday, with Aberdeen awaiting results of a scan that will reveal how serious his knee injury is.

Ryan Hedges was not risked for the trip to Azerbaijan after struggling with a hamstring issue, so remains a doubt.

Stephen Glass opted for a three-man defence against Qarabag but has gone four at the back in all domestic games this season so should do so here.

Hearts possible starting lineup:
Gordon; Souttar, Halkett, Kingsley; Smith, Halliday, Baningime, Cochrane; Ginnelly, Boyce, Mackay-Steven

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Lewis; Gurr, Gallagher, McCrorie, MacKenzie; McGeouch; Ojo, Ferguson, Jenks, Hayes; Emmanuel-Thomas

We say: Hearts 1-0 Aberdeen

After their 7,000 mile round trip to Baku in midweek, Aberdeen could struggle with fatigue here, so we think Hearts will take all three points. Positivity is high at Tynecastle at the moment, and with a full stadium expected for the first time this season, that should drive the hosts to victory.