The Jambos of Gorgie prepare to host the Bairns of Falkirk today, September 27, 2025, in a Scottish Premiership clash that carries significant weight for both sides. Tynecastle Park, a fortress for Heart of Midlothian, sets the scene for a match that pits a high-flying Hearts team against a recently promoted Falkirk side eager to prove their mettle in the top flight. Hearts currently sit comfortably in second place in the league, showcasing an impressive unbeaten league campaign, while Falkirk, in 8th, is looking to climb the table and solidify their Premiership status after securing promotion last season. Can Falkirk upset the form book at a hostile Tynecastle, or will Hearts continue their dominant run and push further up the league standings?
Head-to-Head
Historically, Heart of Midlothian and Falkirk have met on numerous occasions, with Hearts generally holding the upper hand. Since 2005, these two clubs have played 25 games, with Heart of Midlothian securing 11 victories, Falkirk claiming 8 wins, and 6 matches ending in a draw. Hearts have scored a total of 39 goals compared to Falkirk’s 28 in these encounters.
Looking at the more recent matchups, in their last six meetings, Hearts have won four times, Falkirk twice, and there have been no draws. These games have often been high-scoring affairs, with 67% featuring over 2.5 goals and 50% seeing both teams score.
The last five direct encounters paint an interesting picture:
- August 17, 2024: Falkirk 2 – 0 Hearts
- February 8, 2020: Falkirk 0 – 1 Hearts
- March 21, 2015: Falkirk 0 – 3 Hearts
- January 24, 2015: Hearts 2 – 3 Falkirk
- November 15, 2014: Falkirk 1 – 2 Hearts
A notable outcome from their recent history includes Falkirk’s 2-0 victory in August 2024, which serves as a reminder that the Bairns are capable of causing an upset.
Current Form & Team News
Heart of Midlothian
Heart of Midlothian enters this fixture in formidable form, sitting second in the Premiership table and remaining unbeaten in their league campaign. In their last five Premiership matches, Hearts boast an impressive record of four wins and one draw (W-W-D-W-W). Their recent league victories include a 2-0 away win against Rangers and a 2-1 triumph over Livingston, along with a 3-3 draw against Motherwell.
However, the Jambos have faced some injury concerns. Goalkeeper Craig Gordon (shoulder), Finlay Pollock (hamstring), Calem Nieuwenhof (hamstring), Christian Borchgrevink (thigh), Ryan Fulton (groin), Frankie Kent (knee), and Ageu (hamstring) are all sidelined, with expected return dates primarily in early October. Jamie McCart, a centre-back, recently returned from an ankle injury and played in a bounce game, providing a boost to defensive options. Beni Baningime also returned from a knee injury in late August. Key players in excellent form include Stuart Findlay, who has netted three goals in five Premiership matches, and captain Lawrence Shankland, a consistent goal threat.
Falkirk
Falkirk, having recently been promoted to the Premiership, currently occupies 8th place in the league. Their recent form has been a mixed bag, with a record of one win, one draw, and three losses in their last five matches across all competitions. Most recently, Falkirk secured a hard-fought 2-2 home draw against Hibernian on September 23, 2025, with Ross MacIver and Liam Henderson among the goalscorers.
The Bairns also contend with a notable injury list. K. Wilson (ankle), A. Nesbitt (foot), E. Ross (ankle), Tom Lang (unknown), J. Sneddon (hernia), C. Donaldson (groin), B. Stewart (foot), Finn Yeats (foot), and Filip Lissah (ankle) are all reported to be out, with varying return timelines. Notably, Barney Stewart is also on a short-term loan to Dunfermline Athletic. Hearts loanee Lewis Neilson is with Falkirk and might feature against his parent club. Ethan Ross and Dylan Tait have been among Falkirk’s league goal scorers this season.
Tactical Preview
Under manager Derek McInnes, Heart of Midlothian is expected to deploy a flexible system, often shifting between a 4-4-2, 4-3-3, or 4-2-3-1 formation. Their style of play emphasizes attacking intent, high pressing, and quick ball movement, making them a potent force going forward. Hearts also demonstrate strength from set-pieces, and with the defensive depth, they have the option to switch to a three-man backline. Captain Lawrence Shankland will lead the line, with Stuart Findlay providing a goal threat from defense.
Falkirk, led by John McGlynn, has shown a preference for formations like the 4-2-3-1. While they possess attacking potential, their defense has shown vulnerabilities, conceding an average of 1.60 goals per game in their last 10 matches. The midfield battle will be crucial, with Hearts’ strong central options likely to try and dominate possession and disrupt Falkirk’s build-up play. Given Tynecastle’s passionate atmosphere and Hearts’ impressive home record (7 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss in their last 10 home fixtures), home advantage will undoubtedly play a significant role.
