'Have a feeling Hearts will rise to this occasion': Journalists' predictions for Hearts v Rangers

Mark Atkinson: Hearts caused Rangers problems on their last trip to Tynecastle, but the predicament has become far worse for the Jambos since then. Rangers have a got a spring in their step and there are numerous players who can score. However, I just have a feeling Hearts will rise to this occasion. Moreover, Rangers are not the same team without Alfredo Morelos and the performances against Stranraer and St Mirren prove that. They ground down their opposition then, but my misguided hunch tells me it won't happen here. Prediction: Hearts 0-0 Rangers.

Anthony Brown: Hearts appear to be taking small steps in the right direction under Daniel Stendel and I’d expect them to give Rangers a similarly tough test to the one they gave them when drawing 1-1 at Tynecastle earlier this season. The visitors, steeled by memories of that arduous afternoon in Gorgie, should have enough focus to edge it this time. Prediction: Hearts 1 Rangers 2

Patrick McPartlin: Hearts are slowly making progress under Stendel. Wednesday night's draw at Ross County - a famously difficult place to go at the best of times, never mind a January midweek - may not have helped much in terms of making ground on Hamilton, but it was another clean sheet and the smart money would be on things clicking for the Jambos sooner or later. At the same time, Rangers looked sluggish against Stranraer and huffed and puffed somewhat against St Mirren. Not to take anything away from the Buddies but the Gers look blunted without Morelos to call upon. It's hard to imagine Steven Gerrard tholing a third flat performance so I'd expect him to tweak things and gee his side up for this clash - although I still expect Hearts to perform well and continue the upward trajectory under Stendel. Prediction: Rangers win

Neil McGlade: Irrespective of Hearts' current plight, they more often than not raise their game whenever Rangers are in town. I expect this to again be the case on Sunday. The Jambos have shown slight improvements under Stendel but the German really needs a league win to kick-start his career in Gorgie. They held Gerrard's side to a 1-1 draw the last time the sides met at Tynecastle in October and are now suitably stronger to go one better this time round. However, the visitors are chasing their first Premiership title since 2011 and can ill afford to drop points to the league's bottom side. Prediction: Rangers win.

Joel Sked: After all the positivity following the comfortable win over Airdrieonians - after all, wins have been few and far between for Hearts - the team were brought back down to earth with a goalless draw at Ross County. Stendel's men can probably count themselves lucky they got away with a point. When the team lost the ball they looked too open and susceptible to counter attacks. Only fine defending denied County. The same thing can't be allowed to happen against Rangers who are pushing Celtic for the title. Hearts have the ability to frustrate and get at Rangers at Tynecastle but they will need to have a much more structured performance to do so. Prediction: Away win.

Craig Fowler: Sometimes I haven't a clue what sort of prediction to make when it comes to these articles. Something I have an idea but it's hard to express the reasons why. This one, on the other hand, is very simple. Hearts will play well. They have outperformed expectations against both halves of the Old Firm at Tynecastle this season and Stendel's pressing system works best against teams who want to pass the ball. But Hearts will lose. They're simply not good enough to beat the visitors. Prediction: Rangers win.