Hearts travel to Denmark to face Copenhagen, a team in-form and riding high at the top of the Superliga. The home side have collected 33 points from 17 fixtures, winning two and drawing three of their last five games.
Jacob Neestrup’s team have, overall, won nine of their league games, drawing six and losing only two and, in the process, they have scored 32 goals, the best total in the division.
The Parken-based side have only conceded 19 goals, the second lowest in the table, and they warmed-up for the visit of the William Hill Premiership side with a 3-1 win at Kolding in the first leg of the Danish Cup, quarter-final. The return is in Copenhagen on December 15.
Midfielder Thomas Delaney opened the account for the Lions at Kolding after eight minutes last weekend, another Danish-born player, William Clem, scoring the second after 38 minutes and Algerian-born forward Amin Chiakha completing their scoring after 75 minutes.
Kolding replied four minutes later through Asher Beck, but Copenhagen are still in a strong position.
Moroccan-born Mohammed Elyounoussi, a former Celtic player who signed a four-year contract with the Danish club in July last year on a free transfer from English Premiership side, Southampton, is a member of the Copenhagen squad.
The 30-year-old will have some knowledge of Hearts to pass on to his colleagues.
The Tynecastle team go into the game boosted by their 2-0 home success over Dundee on Saturday, skipper Lawrence Shankland on the mark with a welcome double, and nearly 3,000 fans are expected to attend the UEFA Conference League clash.
The confidence-boosting win lifted the Jambos off the foot of the 12-strong Premiership and they have won two of their last five games, drawing another.
Neil Critchley’s men have scored 18 goals so far in league outings and conceded 25 and have so far played four matches in Europe. They sit in 17th spot with two wins (2-1 at Belarusian side Dinamo Minsk and 2-0 at Tynecastle over Cypriot side Omonoia).
They have also suffered two defeats (2-0 at Cercle Brugge in Belgium and 2-0 at home to German combine Heidenheim) and Copenhagen are two places below the Scots with a win and two draws in their four starts.
Hearts have scored four goals and lost five while their opponents on Thursday (kick-off 17.45, CET 18.45pm) have scored six and lost the same number.
So, a result in Copenhagen, who have won a shared record of 15 Danish Championships and a shared record of nine Danish Cups, would be another boost for the Jambos who have been allocated the entire D Stand at Parken Stadium.
This will be Copenhagen’s final home match before their winter break and it will bring to a close a European adventure which started with them hosting English side, Manchester City, in the Champions League in February.
The Danish side are focused and seek European football in the Spring. Neestrup said: “We won by two goals (on Sunday) at a place where it has been very difficult for many other teams. Kolding are currently the team in the top two divisions that give away the fewest chances.
“Of course, we have to finish the work in Parken next Sunday, but first we will focus on the Conference League on Thursday.”
Fans please note that any supporters trying to enter the home sections of the stadium may be denied entry. If they are spotted sitting in the home areas they may be withdrawn from the ground.
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