Hearts v Hamilton Accies team news and likely line-ups: Duo expected to be fit | Pereira could be dropped | another change in formation?

Hearts welcome Hamilton Accies to Tynecastle on Saturday in what is a huge game at the bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Defeats in each of their last two games have left Hearts back at the foot of the table, with Accies just a point ahead.

The big decision for Daniel Stendel going into this one will be what he does at goalkeeper. Fans have been demanding Joel Pereira dropped from the side after a string of mistakes.

Stendel kept his cards fairly close to his chest when addressing the issue prior to this match, though he did concede it was something he was thinking about.

Otherwise, it will be interesting to see if the German head coach goes back to the 3-5-2 system which earned a clean sheet at Falkirk after Celtic stuffed five goals past the Hearts back four in midweek.

Hearts team news

Sean Clare and Michael Smith were both substituted with injury-related concerns against Celtic, though they are in contention to play against Accies. Aaron Hickey remains on the sidelines, while there's no word on whether Toby Sibbick has recovered from illness. Peter Haring is a long-term absentee.

Likely Hearts line-up

Zlamal; Halkett, Smith, Souttar; Clare, Irving, Walker, Garuccio; Naismith; Boyce, Washington.

Hamilton team news

Brian Easton will be missing for the visitors after falling awkwardly and dislocating his shoulder against Aberdeen. The defender is expected to miss most of the season's remainder. Fellow defender Jamie Hamilton returns from suspension, though the visitors will also be without Andy Dales, George Oakley and Hibs January target Mickel Miller. Goalkeeper Ryan Fulton and defender Ciaran McKenna are back in training.

Likely Hamilton line-up

Southwood; McGowan, Woods, Hamilton, McMann; Alston, Gogic, Martin, Hunt; Templeton, Ogkmpoe.

Key clash

Hearts should have more than enough in attack to get a goal or two at home to Accies, but it'll be vital that they limit the visitors at the other end. If John Souttar and company can stop former Tynecastle boy David Templeton having a major impact on the game then they should do just that.

Last meeting

Hearts were defeated 2-1 at the Fountain of Youth four days before Christmas. The visitors dominated shots and possession but managed only a late Oliver Bozanic goal as strikes from Miller and Will Collar gave the hosts victory.

Referee

Kevin Clancy has refereed three Hearts games this season and they've all been draws after 90 minutes. He oversaw the Betfred Cup matches against Dundee United and Aberdeen, which Hearts both won on penalties, before the 1-1 draw with Rangers in October. And yes, all of them have been at Tynecastle.

Odds

Hearts 11/20 Draw 3/1 Hamilton 19/4