One week after an away win against Hibernian, Inverness Caledonian Thistle welcome the Capital’s other SPL outfit, Hearts, to the Caledonian Stadium in Saturday’s SPL fixture. Both sides played midweek, with Hearts winning 1-0 at home against bottom side Hamilton Accies and Caley Thistle drawing 1-1 with Falkirk. In the previous league meeting this season the match finished 1-0 to Hearts, with an early goal from Saulius Mikoliunas putting paid to the Jags hopes for a win.

Hearts have looked to stabilise this season under new manager Csaba Laszlo. Last term saw the Gorgie club slip into the bottom six in the midst of turmoil behind the scenes that eventually saw Stephen Frail removed as head coach. This season under Hungarian Laszlo has seen more stability from the Jam Tarts and progress has been steady with the club sitting fourth in the table going into this weekend.

INVERNESS CT v HEARTS

Tulloch Caledonian Stadium

Saturday 15th November, 3:00pm

PAST MEETINGS

Last season’s first meeting of the sides at Caledonian Stadium marked ICTs first points of the season as they came from behind to defeat Hearts 2-1. An own goal from Ian Black looked to have consigned the Highlanders to a seventh league defeat in a row but strikes from Dennis Wyness (a former Hearts player) and newly appointed player manager Craig Brewster sealed a morale boosting victory.

In December Caley Thistle went to Tynecastle in much better form, having won their previous four league games, including a win over title holders Celtic. In a fevered atmosphere the Jags took a two goal lead through Russell Duncan and John Rankin but were pegged back first by Christoph Berra then by a last minute equaliser from Andrius Velicka. Hearts managed this despite having calamity keeper Eduardas Kurkis sent off for retaliating after a challenge by Duncan. Full back Lee Wallace had to don the gloves but was powerless to stop Graham Bayne popping up with an injury time Heart breaker for the Jambos.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Bruno Aguiar recently scored Hearts equaliser in the Edinburgh Derby with a superb free kick and has galvanised the midfield for the Jambos since he returned following more than a year out with injury. The middle of the park has been a strong area for Hearts this season, with Michael Stewart and Larry Kingston also starring there.

For Caley Thistle the midfield battle will be fought by Russell Duncan and Ian Black. Black in particular has impressed this season and he capped a fine first few months with a cracking goal at Easter Road. Duncan has recovered from an early injury to put in some of his best performances since winning promotion to the SPL and his experience and work ethic will be vital in ensuring that the Jags stay away from the SPLs drop zone.

PREDICTION

Caley Thistle have performed poorly at home so far this season, with only one win being earned in the Highland Capital. The side seem more set up to hit on the break, a tactic not always effective when the onus is home team to make the running. After a second half revival the Jags faithful will be hoping that a more attacking outlook can be found and Craig Brewster’s men manage to find the balance at home. Hearts are a dangerous side and will offer a stiff challenge. As galling as it may be, perhaps the Inverness fans will accept a point in this game and look to solidify at home rather than go for broke and seek three points.