Scottish side Hearts will face Leeds United in a friendly match on Sunday as both teams continue to prepare for their upcoming seasons. Hearts have had a mixed preseason, with only one win from five matches, while Leeds had a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in their most recent friendly.
Hearts have been struggling in their preseason games, suffering losses against Plymouth Argyle, Wigan Athletic, and Mansfield Town, along with a draw against Dunfermline. Their only victory came against Fleetwood Town. This lack of victories is concerning, especially considering their form in the latter part of the previous season, where they also managed only one win in their last five matches. Sunday’s match against Leeds will be their final preseason game before the Premiership action begins.
On the other hand, Leeds had a positive result in their last friendly against Nottingham Forest, winning 2-0. This victory marked their first goals under the management of Daniel Farke, who joined the club in July. Strikers Patrick Bamford and Ian Carlo Poveda scored in the second half to secure the win. Leeds will be aiming for back-to-back victories as they look to build momentum before the start of the season.
In terms of team news, Hearts will be without Craig Halkett and Craig Gordon, who are still recovering from long-term injuries. Michael McGovern, a new signing from Norwich City, is expected to start in goal, while Leeds’ recent acquisition Ethan Ampadu is likely to feature in the starting lineup.
Both teams have possible starting lineups listed, with Leeds potentially fielding a rotated side due to the recent match against Nottingham Forest. The predicted scoreline for the match is a 2-1 victory for Leeds, as they have shown better form in preseason compared to Hearts.
Overall, this friendly match provides an opportunity for both teams to assess their fitness levels and performance ahead of the upcoming season. Hearts will be looking to secure a much-needed victory, while Leeds will aim to continue their winning momentum after the Nottingham Forest game.
