Last update at 20 August, 2026 ⏲️ Reading time: 4 minutes
Conference League @ 20.08.2026
Hearts host SK Rapid at Tynecastle in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League play-off, with a place in the league phase at stake. The Jambos have rediscovered their attacking threat, scoring an impressive ten goals across their last two home matches. Rapid arrive in Edinburgh in outstanding form, having won all eight of their competitive fixtures this season and thrashed GAK 8-0 last Sunday.
Hearts have the advantage of playing at home and have looked far more dangerous at Tynecastle recently, but the visitors have been considerably more consistent and appear capable of causing problems whenever the game opens up.
Hearts vs SK Rapid: date, kick-off time and match details
Information | Details |
|---|---|
Match | Hearts vs SK Rapid |
Competition | UEFA Conference League |
Round | Play-off, first leg |
Date | Thursday, 20 August 2026 |
Kick-off | 7:45pm BST |
Venue | Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh |
Format | First leg of a two-legged tie |
Second leg | Wednesday, 26 August, Vienna |
UK coverage | HeartsTV PPV |
The first leg takes place at Tynecastle on Thursday evening, while the return fixture is scheduled for Wednesday, 26 August in Vienna. HeartsTV is offering the match on PPV for £12.99.
How Hearts and SK Rapid come into the match
Hearts form
The Jambos beat Dundee United 4-0 before scoring six against Inverness in the League Cup, with a 1-1 draw against Benfica at Tynecastle sandwiched between those two matches.
European competition has been a very different story, however. Hearts lost 6-0 on aggregate to Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifying before going down 7-2 on aggregate against Benfica. They have therefore played four European matches this season without a win, scoring twice and conceding 13.
SK Rapid form
Rapid arrive in excellent shape. Johannes Hoff Thorup's side have won all eight of their competitive matches this season, including four victories in Conference League qualifying. They beat Santa Coloma 9-3 on aggregate before overcoming Paide 6-1 over the two legs.
Their latest result was the most eye-catching of all: an 8-0 league win over GAK. Tonni Adamsen scored four goals, Ercan Kara struck twice and Yusuf Demir was also on target.
Rapid have scored 17 goals across their last five competitive matches and conceded only twice.
Key factors behind my Hearts vs SK Rapid prediction
1. Rapid's winning run is difficult to ignore
Eight competitive matches, eight wins. Rapid have also won all four of their Conference League qualifiers, scoring 15 goals and conceding four. Hearts, by comparison, are still waiting for their first European victory of the season.
2. Hearts can score, but their defensive numbers are a concern
There is little wrong with Hearts' recent attacking output. They have scored 11 goals across their last three matches and found the net against Benfica at Tynecastle.
The concern is at the other end of the pitch. Sturm Graz scored six goals over two legs, Benfica scored seven and Inverness managed two on the counter before Hearts eventually took control.
3. Rapid have more than one attacking threat
Adamsen's four-goal display against GAK understandably grabbed the headlines, but Rapid do not rely on one striker. Kara scored twice in the same match.
4. Tynecastle keeps Hearts firmly in the tie
Hearts will take confidence from playing at home. Their last three matches at Tynecastle have produced a 4-0 win over Dundee United, a 1-1 draw with Benfica and a 6-2 victory over Inverness.
That is why the Rapid double chance looks more appealing as the safer selection rather than treating an away win as inevitable.
5. Rapid look interesting at the quoted price
The odds supplied for this preview have Hearts at 5/4, the draw at 5/2 and SK Rapid at 7/4.
At odds of 7/4, Rapid need to win a little more than one game in three for the price to make sense. Given their eight-match winning run and Hearts' defensive record in Europe, the visitors look much more competitive than typical outsiders.
Hearts vs SK Rapid statistics
Statistic | Hearts | SK Rapid |
|---|---|---|
Last five competitive matches | W2 D1 L2 | W5 D0 L0 |
Goals scored, last five | 13 | 17 |
Goals conceded, last five | 11 | 2 |
European record this season | D1 L3 | W4 |
European goals scored | 2 | 15 |
European goals conceded | 13 | 4 |
Over 2.5 goals, last five | 4/5 | 3/5 |
Both teams scored, last five | 4/5 | 2/5 |
Latest result | Hearts 6-2 Inverness | Rapid 8-0 GAK |
The recent numbers explain the appeal of siding with Rapid. Hearts have scored 13 goals in five matches, but they have also conceded 11. Rapid's record over the same period is far stronger, with 17 goals scored and only two conceded.
The European comparison is even more striking. Hearts have scored twice and conceded 13 across four matches, while Rapid have won all four of their Conference League qualifiers with a 15-4 aggregate goal difference.
Head-to-head record
There has been no previous competitive meeting between Hearts and Rapid Vienna to use as a reference, so recent form carries far more weight.
Hearts vs SK Rapid match winner odds
Bet365's current UK match prices make Hearts slight favourites despite Rapid's stronger recent results. Odds are correct at the time of checking and can move before kick-off.
Rapid are also 4/6 to qualify for the Conference League league phase over the two legs.