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Hearts will take on Sturm Graz in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League second round qualifier on Tuesday, 28 July, with the tie all but over.
Last week in Austria, Sturm Graz romped home to a 4-0 victory, which has left Hearts with a mountain to climb this week. While four-goal comebacks have happened in this competition before, it feels highly unlikely that we will see another on Tuesday night.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Hearts vs Sturm Graz key stats
- Sturm Graz have won each of their last five matches in all competitions.
- Hearts have won just one of their last five home European matches.
- More than two goals have been scored in six of Hearts' last seven matches.
Hearts vs Sturm Graz preview: Visitors to complete the double
Hearts vs Sturm Graz — Tale of the Tape
| Hearts | vs | Sturm Graz |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd(2025-26 Scottish Premiership) | Position | 2nd(2025-26 Austrian Bundesliga) |
| 80 | Points | 37 |
| 67 | Goals For | 51 |
| 34 | Goals Against | 35 |
| 17 | Clean Sheets | 9 |
| 1st | Home / Away Rank | 1st |
Last week was a stark reminder to Hearts and the powers-that-be in Scottish football of just how far football in the country has fallen in recent times and it will take a huge effort from everyone involved to reverse this trend in the coming years.
After all, Hearts were just minutes away from being crowned Scottish Premiership champions at the end of last season, but now trail by four goals to the team that finished second in the Austrian Bundesliga last season.
It will be argued by many that the first leg shouldn't have finished 4-0. Hearts had more of the ball and had just one shot fewer than Sturm Graz, but a lack of cutting edge cost them, which felt inevitable after they agreed to sell Lawrence Shankland to Rangers.
New manager Wouter Vrancken is expected to ring the changes for the second leg, with the likes of Amadou Ba-Sy and Stuart Findlay pushing for starts.
As for Sturm Graz, there should be no temptation to rest players for the second leg. Instead, they should look to kill the tie early on before making any changes at half-time.
It has been a promising summer for the Austrian side after they narrowly missed out on the league title last season. They have won four of their six friendlies and have come through their first two competitive matches of the new season by an aggregate score of 7-0.
If they can come through the second leg as expected on Tuesday night, they will be one step closer to a return to the Champions League, and they will feel they have to score to settle after finishing 30th in the league phase back in 2024/25.
In terms of injuries, Amady Camara remains out with a thigh strain and Jacob Hodl is a doubt after being forced off in the first leg.
Hearts vs Sturm Graz form guide & betting tips
| Hearts | vs | Sturm Graz |
|---|---|---|
L
W
W
L
W
|
Form |
W
W
W
W
W
|
| 6 | Goals For | 17 |
| 8 | Goals Against | 2 |
L |
UEFA Champions League | W |
Whispers predicts: Hearts 1-2 Sturm Graz
Sturm Graz's record this summer combined with their overall record against Scottish clubs leans us towards an away win on Tuesday night. Hibernian to win has been priced at 3/1.
More than two goals have been scored in three of Sturm Graz's last four competitive matches. Over 2.5 goals has been priced at 4/7.
Claudio Braga scored 17 goals in all competitions for Hearts last season. Braga is priced at 6/5 to score anytime on Tuesday.
> Sturm Graz to win at 3/1 (4.00) | Likelihood: Possible
> Over 2.5 goals at 4/7 (1.57) | Likelihood: Probable
> Claudio Braga to score anytime at 6/5 (2.20) | Likelihood: Possible