RFS vs Hearts prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-09-14 19:00.
Latvian outfit RFS completed a domestic double last term and are in the thick of another title race, which in itself is impressive considering the club is just 11 years old! The Latvians went some way to putting their name on the European map with a 1-1 draw against Fiorentina on the opening day, suggesting that they have what it takes to give anyone in this competition a tough time.
History is on the line here too as RFS can become the all-time best performing Latvian side in Europe if they win, besting the winless three-point group campaign posted by domestic rivals Ventspilis back during the 2009/10 Europa League. That could be on the cards as RFS have only lost to Latvian side Super Nova across their last 17 competitive games, so Hearts will have to put on an explosive performance to deny them in Riga.
Visiting manager Robbie Nielson is under no illusions about the challenge his Hearts side face, hinting that his team will be in for a physical test like no other as a whopping five RFS players measure up at over 6ft 3inches. The postponement of UK football over the weekend may have been a blessing in disguise for the Jambos, who head into this after recording the heaviest Europa Conference League defeat of round one (0-4 vs Başakşehir).
That was Hearts’ sixth defeat across their last seven competitive outings and that could be about to get even worse as they’ve ran out winners in just one of their last nine continental away trips (D5, L3). The sole victory during that run did come in the Baltics against FCI Tallinn, though this will be a historical first ever clash with Latvian opposition for the visitors.
Players to watch: RFS’ towering target man Andrej Ilić set pulses racing with his equaliser in Fiorentina, which is the fourth of his last seven goals to arrive in European competition. As for Hearts, no one has scored for them in three straight defeats, with their last strike coming from a late Lawrence Shankland penalty against St Johnstone.
Hot streak: Each of Hearts’ last five defeats came without reply, with four of those also seeing them trail at half-time.