Heart of Midlothian play their first 2026-27 Scottish Premiership home game of the season against Dundee United on Sunday 9th August, with a 3pm kick-off at Tynecastle Park.
Hearts were comfortably the best of the chasing pack last season, finishing second on 80 points behind the Glasgow pair, while Dundee United settled for seventh on 45. Wouter Vrancken’s side start as short home favourites at 8/15 with bet365, but Jim Goodwin’s United have quietly become awkward visitors to Tynecastle.
We have been through the card and picked out the bets we like best below. You can find more of our football tips across the weekend, with all odds correct at the time of writing.
Premium Tips
| Premium Tip | Odds | Why we’re backing it |
|---|---|---|
| Dundee United Double Chance | 11/8 (with Sky Bet) | Dundee Utd collected a well-deserved point in a 1-1 draw last November away at Hearts when they were clear at the top of the league. Hearts were beaten on the opening weekend of the season, while Dundee Utd gave an excellent showing in their 1-1 draw with Rangers. Take a chance on the visitors to get at least a point, with 11/8 on offer in the double chance market. |
| Vicko Sevelj to be carded | 23/10 (with Ladbrokes) | No player was shown more cards for Dundee Utd last season than Vicko Sevelj. The Croatian collected eight yellows in 27 league starts last term, and was booked in his side’s Scottish Premiership opener against Rangers last week. |
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware — gambleaware.org · Odds correct at time of publishing.
How Hearts go into the game
Hearts were the best of the rest behind Celtic and Rangers in 2025-26, finishing second on 80 points with a goal difference built on the division’s tightest defence, just 34 conceded across 38 games. Wouter Vrancken takes charge for his first full campaign after arriving in the summer, and he inherits a squad that created 61 big chances and scored 67 goals last term.
The big summer question is up top. Lawrence Shankland, 16 goals last season, has moved on, leaving Claudio Braga and his 14 goals as the main man. Summer signing Elton Kabangu heads the anytime market at 11/10, a sign the bookmakers expect him to lead the line, but Braga’s proven return makes him the safer scorer play. As ever on opening weekend, confirmed line-ups are not yet available, so the team news is worth a final check before kick-off.
How Dundee United go into the game
Dundee United finished seventh on 45 points last season, a mid-table campaign undermined by a leaky defence that shipped 60 goals, the worst record in the top half. Jim Goodwin, who extended his stay over the summer, will want a far tighter start this time around.
Going forward, United were serviceable rather than prolific, mustering 49 goals with Zachary Sapsford their top scorer on nine. They have generally travelled better than their final position suggests, and recent trips to Tynecastle have been competitive, but starting a new season away to the runners-up is a demanding assignment, and the 4/1 on offer for a United win reflects that.
Hearts vs Dundee United head-to-head
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31/01/26 | Dundee United | 0-3 | Hearts |
| 09/11/25 | Hearts | 1-1 | Dundee United |
| 10/08/25 | Dundee United | 2-3 | Hearts |
| 06/04/25 | Hearts | 0-1 | Dundee United |
| 05/01/25 | Dundee United | 0-1 | Hearts |
Sunday’s hosts have won six of the last 10 meetings, with two draws and two United wins, and have outscored their visitors 20 goals to 11 across that run. That said, Dundee United won both of their previous league trips to Tynecastle before last season’s 1-1 draw, so this is not quite the procession the overall record implies.
Predictions & betting tips
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match Result Draw | 8/15 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | The Jam Tarts were beaten by Aberdeen on the opening weekend, while Dundee Utd collected a point against Rangers. |
| Claudio Braga to score anytime | 6/5 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Fourteen league goals in 2025-26 and now Hearts’ undisputed number nine with Shankland gone. |
| Over 2.5 goals | 8/11 | ⭐⭐⭐ | Hearts’ attacking volume against a United defence that shipped 60 goals last season points to goals, even if recent meetings have been tight. |
| Both teams to score – Yes | 4/5 | ⭐⭐⭐ | United found the net on both of their most recent league visits to Tynecastle, so a shutout is far from guaranteed. |
| Correct score: 2-2 | 14/1 | ⭐⭐ | Hearts to control the game, with United’s habit of scoring at Tynecastle keeping them in it. |
Hearts vs Dundee United score prediction
Hearts have the stronger squad, home advantage and the meaner defence, and Braga should give them the cutting edge United’s back line struggled to contain last season. But United have a knack of nicking a goal at Tynecastle, so we are not banking on a clean sheet in a lively opener. Score prediction: Hearts 2-1.
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