The recent form book reveals that Hearts have won two of their last five games, and drawn two. The Austrian side are unbeaten in their last five, winning four.
Included in those statistics is the 2-2 draw at Tynecastle last Thursday in this UEFA Conference League, play-off.
Jambos boss, Wouter Vrancken, admitted it was a pity that the Scots failed to hold onto their slender 2-1 lead in the first leg, but he was proud of his players.
They have enjoyed a welcome rest having taken advantage of the new Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) rules to postpone their league match against Falkirk last weekend to give them extra time to prepare for Wednesday’s second leg.
The match, incidentally, kicks off in the Allianz Stadium in Vienna at 17.45 and is on BBC Radio Scotland with the transmission starting from 17.30.
The winner-takes-all clash is also available on PPV priced at £12.99.
Reflecting on last week, Vrancken (pictured) said his men tried to do good things in the first 45 minutes, but the conviction was not there. For the first goal he felt Hearts gave the ball away too easily and for the second, which leveled the tie, they surrendered a corner too easily.
However, the head coach was happy with the team spirit in the second-half and believes the tie is still what he called “open”.
The Belgian-born coach warned that the opposition are a good side but noted more energy and intensity from his squad, with and without the ball, against the technically gifted Austrian combine during a thoroughly entertaining first-leg.
His men also, he said, showed character, shrugging off a 1-0 first-half deficit to lead 2-1. They did not panic after going behind to a headed goal from big French defender Serge-Phillippe Raux-Yao after 30 minutes.
The same player netted an own goal after 55 minutes, Josh McPake’s shot after a drive into the box being deflected after 62 minutes to level, and James Wilson’s super strike from 30 yards after 62 minutes fired the Jambos ahead. Substitute Nikolaus Wurmbrand slotted after 79 minutes to level.
Vrancken said his men have to be on top form in Vienna if they want a result and the postponement of the weekend fixture allowed Hearts to work on “things” and “details”.
A possible concern is McPake who came off with around 20 minutes of the first-leg to go.
Vrancken confirmed it was a calf muscle issue. That will be monitored and his inclusion could be important as the former St Johnstone player hassled the Austrian defence at Tynecastle.
And, will Wilson start after his much-publicised goal?
