Hearts will take on Sunderland in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, 26 July, with both teams edging closer to the start of their new domestic league seasons.
Unlike their opponents, Hearts have already played competitive matches this season due to the early start of the Scottish League Cup, so they will perhaps play this match at full intensity.
Sunderland have had a busy pre-season themselves, so they shouldn't be caught cold by Hearts.
As part of our ongoing selection of pre-season friendly betting tips, check out our Hearts vs Sunderland prediction below.
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Hearts vs Sunderland prediction: Goals galore
Key Stats
- Hearts have scored three goals or more in each of their last five matches.
- Sunderland have scored five goals in their three pre-season matches so far.
- Three goals or more have been scored in eight of Hearts' last nine games.
Correct score prediction: Hearts 2-2 Sunderland
This match looks like a recipe for goals based on how both teams have been playing during pre-season. With the new season approaching, rotation shouldn't be overly severe as both managers will be keen to see their preferred starting XIs in action for a prolonged period.
Pre-game odds and win probability: No odds available
- HOME: N/A
- DRAW: N/A
- AWAY: N/A
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
There are currently no odds available for the match between Hearts and Sunderland. We will update the page once they are released. In the meantime, feel free to check out our dedicated Football Betting Tips Today page for other tips over the next 24 hours.
Most recent H2Hs: A first meeting in 16 years
This will only be the second time in history that the two clubs have played against each other. The only other meeting between Hearts and Sunderland came in a pre-season friendly in 2009. On that occasion, the two teams played out a 1-1 draw at Tynecastle with the goals coming from David Obua and Darren Bent.
Hearts preview: Will Gordon play in his testimonial?
The match between Hearts and Sunderland on Saturday is technically more than just a friendly, as it is Craig Gordon's testimonial. The goalkeeper, who is still playing for Hearts at the age of 42, enjoyed five years at Sunderland earlier in his career, but there are doubts around whether he will be fit enough to make an appearance on Saturday.
Predicted lineup: Fulton (GK), Steinwender, Kent, Kingsley, Spittal, Devlin, Nieuwenhof, Kartum, Wilson, Shankland, Kabangu
Scotland Premiership 10/05/25
W
Motherwell
0
Hearts
3
Scotland Premiership 03/05/25
W
Ross County
1
Hearts
3
Scotland Premiership 26/04/25
L
Dundee
1
Hearts
0
Scotland FA Cup 19/04/25
L
Aberdeen
2
Hearts
1
Scotland Premiership 12/04/25
D
Motherwell
0
Hearts
0
Sunderland preview: A debut for Reinildo?
Sunderland fans could finally get a glimpse of Reinildo on Saturday, after the 31-year-old defender joined the club late following the conclusion of the Club World Cup. The Black Cats do have some injury doubts, though, with Anthony Patterson, Chris Rigg, Nial Huggins and Wilson Idior all unlikely to be risked.
Predicted lineup: Noukeu (GK), Jones, Ballard, Seelt, Hume, Le Fee, Diarra, Sadiki, Talbi, Mayenda, Adingra
England Championship 13/05/25
L
Coventry
1
Sunderland
0
England Championship 09/05/25
W
Coventry
1
Sunderland
2
England Championship 03/05/25
L
QPR
1
Sunderland
0
England Championship 26/04/25
L
Oxford Utd
2
Sunderland
0
England Championship 21/04/25
L
Blackburn
1
Sunderland
0
Player to watch: Simon Adingra
Sunderland fans are over the moon with the signing of Simon Adingra from Brighton, and the Ivorian winger has already given them a glimpse of what he is capable of in their two matches against Sporting Lisbon and Sevilla. Can he grab his first goal of pre-season against Hearts?