Hearts v Dundee United
Friday 12th July 1945hrs
Football – Scotland – League Cup
Pick Hearts
Bookmaker Marathon Bet
Odds: 57/100 (odds taken 20.00 GMT, Thursday 11th July)
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/15 | 11/4 | 17/4 |
* (Betting Odds were taken from Coral on July 11th, 2019 at 20.00)
The Scottish domestic season kicks off on Friday night with the beginning of the League Cup. Scottish Cup finalists Hearts face a Dundee United team who missed out on promotion at the final hurdle.
Scottish League Cup Betting at Marathon Bet
Hearts Preview – Will this be the first step en route to another appearance at Hampden for Hearts?
A disappointing 2018/19 season ultimately came to an disappointing end for Craig Levein’s Hearts. Defeat in the Scottish Cup final to Celtic at Hampden back in May capped off what was a very underwhelming campaign. The performance itself was arguably one of their best of the season but they couldn’t hold on. Looking purely at the cups some would suggest it had been a positive season, with Hearts also making it to the semi-final of this competition. However, a sixth place finish and some turgid displays meant Levein and his team came in for criticism. There’s been no change in management, though, and Hearts will be hoping for a much better showing this term.
As tends to be the case at Tynecastle, it’s been a busy summer so far. Conor Washington, Aidan White and Jamie Walker have all arrived to bring more quality to the squad. Craig Halkett was one of the outstanding defenders in the league for Livingston last season and he’s always been brought in. Levein is still awaiting what he hopes will be the most significant addition in this transfer window. Steven Naismith has been on loan for the last 18 months but missed a sizeable part of last season due to injury. Now out of contract, it’s likely he will commit to a permanent move in the coming days. His influence is obvious among this squad.
Dundee United Preview – Are Dundee United over their playoff final heartache and ready to bounce back?
It’s yet another season for Dundee United in the Championship after defeat in the playoff final to St Mirren. Robbie Neilson was brought in halfway through the season to steer the club to the top-flight but he came up just short. The one positive for the fans is that with Dundee being relegated they will at least get to to sample their local derby once again. Neilson knows the priority is very much winning the title but he will also be hoping to make a mark in the cup competitions, too.
United’s biggest signing in this window so far is striker Lawrence Shankland from Ayr United. The 23 year old has scored 50 goals in the past two seasons, attracting attention from clubs in England. Somewhat surprisingly Shankland has opted for the Arabs and if he can replicate his scoring form he will see them go extremely close. Neilson has attempted to bring in players who have been successful in this league in the past to complement the quality they already had. The challenge is now pulling it all together in this group of players and living with the expectation of being the biggest team in the division. Something that has been an issue in recent years.
Key-Facts – Hearts v Dundee United
- Hearts reached the semi-final of this competition last season, losing 3-0 to Celtic at Murrayfield
- This will be the first time that Robbie Neilson has faced his former club since taking over as Dundee United boss
- East Fife, Cowdenbeath and Stenhousemuir make up Group A so this game is likely to have a big bearing on top spot
Hearts v Dundee United Betting Advice
The format of the Scottish League Cup is an initial group stage ahead of the knockout round for the latter stages. Only the eight group winners are guaranteed progression and the advantage is with Hearts who face their hardest opponents at home. Not to mention they are the Premier League side. Neilson was both a player and manager at Tynecastle and this will be a homecoming of sorts for him. Hearts and his former boss Levein will be going all out to make it an unhappy one.
Hearts value the cup competitions and target them as a priority. They were unbeaten in the group stage last season finishing top and scoring goals aplenty. It’s not been nearly as positive for Dundee United in recent seasons, failing to get out the group the last twice. It’s not going to be an easy time for them at Tynecastle, either, and they are likely to get this campaign off to a losing start.
