Zurich Vs Hearts Betting Tip: Hearts or Draw – 18 August 2022

Swiss delight for Hearts on their long-awaited European return?

Lindrit Kamberi / Zurich ©IMAGO / Sergio Brunetti 08/14/2022

SwitzerlandFC Zurich Vs Hearts Scotland

Thursday, 18 August 2022 – 18:00 (BST)
UEFA Europa League Qualification
Pick: Hearts or Draw
Odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: Betfair
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 16 August 2022)

Preview: Kybunpark in St Gallen, Switzerland, is the venue for Hearts‘ first European outfit for six years. Robbie Nielson’s side take on last season’s Swiss league champions, an FC Zurich whose defence of that title has been woeful thus far to say the least.

UEFA Europa League Betting at Betfair

 

Zurich – Plenty not to like about Thursday’s “hosts?”

Bidding for their fourth group stage appearance in this competition since 2014, Swiss side FC Zurich are the vastly superior outfit compared to their upcoming opponents when it comes to playing in Europe. However, there are more than one reason as to why caution is advised regarding any wager on Thursday’s hosts. The first being that they aren’t true hosts, with this game played in St Gallen as opposed to Zurich.

That should negate some of the advantage which accompanies playing at home. Then again, being away from so many supporters might even be a positive. This is because the team have made a lethargic start to the defence of their Swiss Super League title, which they won at a canter last season. Franco Foda’s side sit bottom through five matches. Without a win (D2 L3), they have only managed the one goal thus far.

Key Stat: Prior to defeating Linfield 5-0 on aggregate in their last European outing, FC Zurich had won only one of their five previous ties in the qualifying rounds of UEFA competitions.

 

Draw & Both Teams Score
7/2

Betfair

 

Hearts – Scots visit Switzerland in buoyant mood?

A strong start to the domestic campaign up in Scotland should instil belief throughout this team that they can overcome the odds on Thursday, in their first foray in Europe for six years. Hearts finished best of the rest at the conclusion of the 2021-22 SPFL, amassing 61 points from 38 matches to finish behind only the Glasgow giants. Those standards have been maintained early doors, too.

Three games into the new term and Robbie Neilson’s men are back nestled in third place, behind Celtic and Rangers. The Tynecastle outfit have so far sandwiched home wins over Ross County and Dundee Utd with a draw away to Hibernian, who needed a late equaliser to deny The Jam Tarts the perfect start. Conceding late goals has been a recurring theme, however, doing so beyond the 70th minute in all three outings.

Key Stat: Hearts only managed to win six of their 19 away league games last season (D6 L7), drawing their sole road fixture of the new term 1-1 against Hibernian.

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Zurich Vs Hearts Betting Advice

Scottish sides haven’t shown up well in Europe this season. First there was Motherwell, who were humbled by League of Ireland’s Sligo Rovers, followed by Dundee Utd’s ignominious display against AZ Alkmaar after a 7-0 defeat in the Netherlands. Aside from the top two of Celtic and Rangers though, Hearts were head and shoulders above those teams last season. I’m expecting this to be in evidence on Thursday.

 

FC Zurich Vs Hearts– Key Facts:

  • The clubs are meeting for the first time. However, Zurich did win their last three home matches against sides from Scotland. Although, with the most recent occurring in 1998, it shouldn’t have any relevance to the outcome on Thursday.
  • It has been a start to the season to forget for FC Zurich. The defending Swiss Super League champions are winless through five outings (D2 L3), and were dumped out of the UCL by Qarabag before easing past Linfield in the UEL second round.
  • Confidence should be high among the visiting contingent, meanwhile, after Hearts thumped Dundee Utd 4-1 at the weekend to maintain their unbeaten start (W2 D1) to the campaign in Scotland. Their last visit to Switzerland saw them beat Basel 2-1 in 2004.

 

The teams have made such contrasting starts to their domestic seasons – Zurich remain winless after five rounds whereas Hearts have seven points from three games – that it is difficult to get on board with the price about the hosts, who won’t even benefit from playing at their usual residence. Zurich have also failed to win four of their past five European home qualifiers. Back the Scots, then, to depart St Gallen unscathed.

Best Betting Odds – FC Zurich Vs Hearts

FC Zurich – 5/6 (Coral)
Draw – 27/10 (BetVictor)
Hearts – 4/1 (Betfair)