Hearts v Motherwell team news and line-ups: TV coverage, big decisions for Stendel, same XI that beats Hibs

Hearts host Motherwell at Tynecastle Park on Saturday (3pm ko) in another huge game in the fight for survival.

The club’s fans were left bemused on Wednesday evening when they fell back to the bottom of the table after Hamilton Accies recorded a 1-0 win over Rangers at Ibrox.

That result came 24 hours after Hearts had produced a commanding 3-1 win at Easter Road over rivals Hibs.

It was the first time the team has won consecutive games in 90 minutes since defeating Stenhousemuir and Cowdenbeath back in July. Saturday will be the 400th day since Hearts last put back-to-back wins together in the league.

Doing so would be a huge forward step for Daniel Stendel’s men and suggest that a corner has really been turned as the team strive to avoid relegation.

With St Mirren drawing and Ross County losing during the midweek, they are still potentially in Hearts’ sights, but a run of positive results will have to be put together to get close to them.

Stendel explained to the Evening News that the style and system has been tweaked to make the side a bit more robust.

They face a Motherwell side who defeated the Staggies 4-1 during the week after a difficult period of their own, but sit third.

The last time Hearts met Stephen Robinson’s side at Tynecastle Park it brought about a 3-2 defeat with fans protesting against Craig Levein after the match.

Hearts team news: Peter Haring and John Souttar are long-term absentees. The game may come too soon for Toby Sibbick whose return from glandular fever is being managed.

Possible Hearts XI (4-4-2): Zlamal; Smith, Halkett, Dikamona, Hickey; Clare, Damour, Bozanic, Moore; Naismith, Washington.

Motherwell team news: Charlie Dunne is absent, as is Jake Carroll, both with long-term injuries. Liam Donnelly returns from suspension.

Possible Motherwell XI: Gillespie; Grimshaw, Gallagher, Hartley, Tait; O’Hara, Campbell, Polworth; Hylton, Long, Aarons.

Key clash: In Wednesday’s win over Ross County, the Motherwell midfield three of Mark O’Hara, Allan Campbell and Liam Polworth impressed, giving the Steelmen a balance in the middle. It will be another test for Oliver Bozanic and Loic Damour who have put in really positive showings in their last two outings. The Hearts duo dominated Hibs’ midfield three. The battle between Damour and Campbell is most intriguing.

Last meeting: The meeting at Fir Park in December was the last before Daniel Stendel took over. In fact, the German was announced following the 1-0 defeat to Motherwell when Chris Long scored the only goal. Jake Mulraney was sent off in the closing stages.

Match details: Saturday, 7 March. Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh. Kick-off 3pm. Tickets are available on the Hearts website.

TV coverage: The game is not being shown live in the UK. International subscribers to HeartsTV can watch live coverage of the match.

Referee: Don Robertson (14 Scottish Premiership fixtures: 48 yellow cards, six red cards) – This will be the official’s fourth match in the middle of a Hearts match. The previous two in the league ended in defeat, 5-0 at Rangers and 3-2 at Aberdeen where he sent Aaron Hickey off.

Odds: Hearts 6/5 Draw 23/10 Motherwell 23/10