Preview Hearts

Pars seeking first home win in almost two years over Jambos. Back in September 2004 a Barry Nicholson goal gave Davie Hay his first competitive victory as the Pars gaffer

When Hearts visited last on 14th January the Tynecastle brought to an end a run of four SPL games at East End Park without a win. Dunfermline have only won a third of the 24 SPL meetings with Hearts at home.

Back in September 2004 a Barry Nicholson goal gave Davie Hay his first competitive victory as the Pars gaffer, however, the Jambos returned two months later to knock the Pars out of the CIS Insurance Cup with a comfortable 3-1 victory.

Out of the last twelve SPL games between Dunfermline and Hearts, the Pars have won just two of the encounters. Hearts have taken full points from eight games, with two draws.

January 2006 East End Park

Defeating Hearts has been near impossible for Dunfermline when they travel to the capital so the big chance has to be when the Jambos come north of the Forth but Leishman`s side only won three SPL games at home last season while Hearts won more than double that.

Dunfermline will be keen to get off to good start hoping that this opening fixture is the best time to meet a Hearts side who were on Champions League duty on Wednesday.  Despite that comfortable 3-0 win at Murrayfield there will be the hope that the team will not be in the kind of form that they hit last season. The Pars last home game in the SPL was a great disappointment as Inverness Caley Thistle defeated them and lost them ninth place and pots of SPL money. Hearts did lose their final three away games of last season but maybe they had their eye on the Tennents Scottish Cup Final?

Hearts last time out v Siroki Brijeg: Craig Gordon; Robbie Neilson, Steven Pressley, Christophe Berra, Martin Petras, Deividas Cesnauskis, Bruno Aguiar, Ibrahim Tall, Neil McCann, Roman Bednar, Edgaras Jankauskas.
Subs: Steven Banks, Michal Pospisil, Saulius Mikoliunas, Julien Brellier, Jamie Mole, John Neill, Andrew Driver.

Referee appointed for this match is Brian Winter. He refereed the Pars twice last season in away games and both one goal defeats at Kilmarnock and Rangers.  He has been whistler for only one match at East End Park, one in which Inverness Caley Thistle came back from two goals down to draw the match in the last ten minutes - remember there was a penalty decision! This is the first time that he has ever been in charge of a Hearts match.

Last season was the first time in eight opening games that Dunfermline lost their first home game of the season.  Given that the next match is away to Falkirk and then Rangers visit on Sunday 13th August it would be very helpful if Hearts could take their mind off this game!

C`mon ye Pars!