'The crowd will be very thin on patience if Hearts start slowly': Journalists' predictions for Hearts v Hamilton

Craig Fowler: There's one particular aspect I'm wary of coming into this game. After getting a real bounce from the Rangers game, Hearts have managed to let that confidence erode away completely in just four games, three in the Scottish Premiership. In those trio of matches they've conceded 11 goals and taken just one point. It means self-belief will be fragile tomorrow and the crowd, who've had their anger renewed by recent developments, will be very thin on patience if Hearts start slowly. Other than that, I'm actually pretty confident of a Hearts win. Daniel Stendel's record overall makes for grim reading, but I'm prepared to throw out what happened prior to New Year because he was still trying to shake things up from the previous management, was missing a couple of key players (Steven Naismith and John Souttar) and had yet to add anyone to the squad. Since then his record hasn't been terrific, but there's been more than enough to suggest this team will beat Accies at Tynecastle. Prediction: Home win.

Patrick McPartlin: A huge game that either side could win depending on which team turns up for the respective clubs. Stendel had effectively consigned the trip to Celtic to the "unsurprising heavy defeats" bin well in advance of the fixture, instead choosing to focus on the proverbial six-pointer against Accies. The visitors have a host of injury concerns - "down to the bare bones", according to manager Brian Rice - while Hearts should have John Souttar and Steven Naismith to boost their chances. Marcel Langer is suspended, which should also boost their chances if his second-half display in Glasgow is anything to go by. Hamilton certainly have players who can do damage but as they showed on their last trip to the Capital to face Hibs, even when gifted a headstart they don't seem to know what to do with it. Their unpredictability could work in their favour but I think Hearts have been targeting this game as a must-win, and I think that's what they'll do. Prediction: Hearts win

Neil McGlade: Defeat doesn't bear thinking about for Hearts this weekend... or, well, Hamilton for that matter either given the current plight of both clubs. The outcome of tomorrow's Accies encounter, coupled with next Friday night's trip to Paisley, could have a big say in where the Jambos finish up this season. Stendel's side must grind out a win at Tynecastle tomorrow, whatever it takes. And the German should start by dropping the calamity that is Joel Pereira. He has cost Hearts far too many goals – and points – to warrant any more game time in Gorgie and must be replaced. Bobby Zlamal has had more than his fair share of error-strewn performances in between the sticks but he, surely, has to be a better option than the on-loan Manchester United... wait for it... 'goalkeeper'. This is Hearts' cup final, whether they like it being billed as that or not. Don't ask me why but I think they'll come up trumps. Prediction: Hearts win

Joel Sked: This could be a cracking match between the bottom two. Accies have suffered a spate of injuries over the last couple of weeks and could be down to the bare bones, while Hearts themselves picked up a couple of knocks, as well as a red card, in the defeat to Celtic on Wednesday. This is a must-win match for Hearts, one of their biggest league fixtures in a long time. The win over Rangers appeared to be a turning point but they haven't built on that win and slipped once again to the foot of the table. There will likely be nerves but there will also still be the aggressive approach to make life difficult for Accies and play on the front foot. Hamilton would likely be happy with the draw, but will have seen how Kilmarnock and St Johnstone exploited Stendel's men and feel they could do similar. Between them, the teams have shipped 95 goals in the league. It could be a case of whose attack is more potent. Prediction: Hearts

Mark Atkinson: If Hearts are to escape this mess, then beating Hamilton at home is essential. Despite the harrowing defeat at Celtic, Hearts have shown enough in their previous matches to suggest they can score goals against the weaker teams in the Premiership. Accies - despite their spirited nature - fall into that category. Both defences are brittle, but Hearts have more in their armoury, so with that in mind, I'll side with the Jambos. Prediction: Hearts 3-1 Hamilton Accies.