- Recent form: Hearts Of Midlothian FC have won four and drawn one of their last five Premiership Championship Round matches (D1, L0)
- Away form: Hearts Of Midlothian FC are unbeaten in their last two Premiership Championship Round away games (W1, D1)
Jambos are juggernaut under McInnes
Hearts Of Midlothian FC have been on a roll since Derek McInnes took over as Jambos boss back in May 2025 and the Jambos have surged to the summit of the Premiership Championship Round 2026 table with 76 points from 35 games. Fourth-placed Motherwell have collected 57 points from the same number of games, so there is plenty to play for in this Saturday’s Championship Round encounter.
McInnes has given the Jambos a structure and a results orientation that was lacking under his predecessors with his team winning nine, drawing three and losing five of their Premiership Championship Round 2026 road games. Hearts have won their last three - including a 2-1 victory away at Hibernian FC - and are in red-hot form.
Motherwell will provide a different kind of test for McInnes’ side as the hosts prefer to control the tempo of games with a more vertical, high-energy and counter-pressing style. Jens Berthel Askou has overseen a flexible attacking template at Fir Park since his appointment in July 2025, but the club’s recent record reads as won one, drawn one and lost three in their last five.
Spittal and Shankland to spark a goal-fest
Form and tactics:
Motherwell’s standout result was the 3-2 away win over Glasgow Rangers FC nine days ago, but they were beaten 1-0 by Falkirk FC only three days ago. With European berths and title ambitions on the line, this clash should generate plenty of spark on the pitch.
The Jambos are a compact three-at-the-back system that can play possession football at times and then hit on the break in an instant.
- Their 1.12 goals per game away concession record is solid, but not great and the backline can be exposed if they are caught out.
- Motherwell score 1.71 goals per home game in the Premiership Championship Round 2026 and have let in just 0.53 goals on average, so this is likely to be close with plenty of action.
- Hearts beat Motherwell 3-1 at home only three weeks ago and will have them well figured out.
Odds and tips:
Motherwell are listed at 2.52 to win and Hearts Of Midlothian FC at 2.7, but we believe the value lies with Hearts because of their superior form, recent domination of this fixture and higher table position.
Back Both Teams to Score at 1.63 for an attack vs defense style clash that should deliver at both ends, while Lawrence Shankland is worth a small bet; he has bagged 3 of Hearts' last 8 goals in their past 5 games.
