Hearts vs Petrocub prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-12-18 20:00.
[p]Hearts have their destiny in their own hands ahead of the final league phase round of this seasonâs UEFA Conference League, beginning this matchday in 23rd place. Any slip-up from the Jam Tarts in this home clash with the already eliminated Petrocub could see them drop out of the top 24 and join their Moldovan opponents in an early exit from the competition.[/p]
[p]With only one win from their last eight games (D1, L6), and 2-0 losses in each of their last three Conference League fixtures, recent form would suggest that Neil Critchleyâs side face a tough task on Thursday evening. But so far in December, they are unbeaten in their two home matches (W1, D1) and Hearts will be looking for the Tynecastle Park faithful to play a role in securing the teamâs safe passage to the knockout play-offs.[/p]
[p]Four points behind the top 24, courtesy of losing four of their five Conference League games (D1), Petrocub could still finish at the bottom of the standings. Despite that, they should arrive in Scotland with some confidence as they have lost only one of their last five away matches across all competitions (W1, D3). That includes their 1-1 draw against Ä°stanbul BaĆakĆehir at the end of November, when a 96th minute equaliser ended a run of seven successive European away games without scoring a goal![/p]
[p]After breaking that drought, the next sequence to end for the HĂźnceÈti Lions is to register a win on the road in Europe, something they havenât done since July 2022 (D3, L5). Irrespective of whether they achieve that in Edinburgh, this game will bring the curtain down on Petrocubâs latest European adventure, one that began on July 10th and saw them dumped out of both the Champions League and the Europa League in the qualifying rounds.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Blair Spittal scored Heartsâ last goal in Europe and they have won five of their last six home games (L1) when he has found the net. Twenty-three-year-old Dan PuÈcaÈ was in the thick of the action during Petrocubâs last Conference League away trip, picking up both an assist and a booking in a 45-minute appearance. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Six of Heartsâ seven European games this season saw the victorious side win âto nilâ.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Tom Penn[/i][/p]