Levi Rothermund
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After a 2-2 draw in the first leg at Tynecastle, SK Rapid Wien bring Hearts back to Vienna for the second leg of this UEFA Conference League 2026/27 Playoff tie. Rapid carry a slight home advantage and arrive in far better recent form, but Hearts have shown they can score away from home, which keeps this tie very much alive heading into Wednesday night.
Two players worth watching closely: Tonni Adamsen has been Rapid’s standout performer, contributing four goals and an assist across the last five matches and bringing real threat from midfield. For Hearts, Claudio Rafael Soares Braga has been directly involved in six goals in that same period, combining pace with an ability to draw fouls, which could be a problem for Rapid’s backline.
Hot stat: SK Rapid Wien scored eight goals against Grazer AK in one of their recent domestic outings, underlining just how free-scoring they have been at home this summer.
| 🏆 Tournament: | UEFA Conference League 2026/27 – Playoffs |
| 🏟 Venue: | Allianz Stadion, Vienna |
| 🗓️ Date: | 26.08.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 18:45 CEST |
SK Rapid Wien vs Hearts Prediction
Rapid Wien are the clear favourites here, and honestly the numbers back that up. They have won seven of their last eight matches, losing none in that stretch. Hearts, by contrast, have won just three of their last eight, dropping points in three defeats. At the Allianz Stadion, Rapid will press high and look to make it uncomfortable for a Hearts side that has shown defensive fragility at key moments this season.
The 2-2 first-leg result means Hearts need at least a draw to take this to extra time, and a win to go through in normal time. That forces Vrancken’s side to attack more than they might prefer, which opens space for Rapid on the counter. We think Rapid win this at home, with both teams finding the net given the open nature of what a second leg demands from Hearts.
Rapid average more shots, more passes, and maintain higher pass accuracy across their last five games compared to Hearts. Hearts, though, generate more free kicks (84 to Rapid’s 58) and record more offsides (14 to 6), which points to a direct, forward-heavy approach. That style can be effective in bursts but is also prone to giving away possession in dangerous areas. Rapid’s disciplined shape under Thorup has conceded very little recently, and their ability to control territory through possession will be a key factor.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | SK Rapid Wien to score in both halves |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 9.5 |
Team Analysis
SK Rapid Wien have been in exceptional shape. Across their last five competitive fixtures they have scored 20 goals, including an 8-0 demolition of Grazer AK and a 4-1 win over Paide. The 2-2 draw with Hearts in the first leg was their only dropped result in that run. Johannes Thorup’s side operate in a 4-2-3-1 and have looked comfortable both in domestic competition and in Europe. Their attacking output is high, their defensive record is solid, and the squad depth is visible in how freely they rotate without losing intensity.
Hearts have had a mixed recent run. They beat Inverness 6-2 in their most recent match before the second leg, which is an encouraging sign of attacking intent. Before that, a 1-1 draw with Benfica in a friendly context showed they can compete against high-level opposition. A 4-0 win over Dundee United was another bright moment, but the 1-6 loss to Benfica earlier in the run is a reminder of the gap that still exists when Hearts face teams with real quality and press them high. Their form across the last eight games reads as inconsistent, with three wins, two draws, and three losses.
Most Recent Head-to-Head Matches
These two sides have only one completed competitive meeting to reference, with the second leg still to come.
| Statistic | SK Rapid Wien | Hearts |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 2 | 2 |
🚨Check out our dedicated SK Rapid Wien vs Hearts stats page for more info.
Pre-game Odds and Win Probability: SK Rapid Wien the Favourite
- Moneyline SK Rapid Wien 1.60 | Hearts 4.38
- Draw 4.45
- Over/Under Over 2.5 — | Under 2.5 —
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes — | No —
Rapid are priced around 1.55 to 1.64 across most books, which reflects their strong home form and the aggregate situation. Hearts at 3.80 to 4.80 feels about right given their inconsistency, though those odds might slightly undervalue them as a team that has already scored twice against Rapid. The draw at 3.80 to 4.45 looks like the least attractive market here. We think the match ends with goals at both ends, and Rapid’s home record makes them the sensible pick to win the tie.
Possible Starting Lineups
SK Rapid Wien Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Niklas Hedl
- DF: Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao, Nenad Cvetković, Bendeguz Bolla, Jannes Horn
- MF: Nicolas Bajlicz, Romeo Amane
- MF: Matthias Seidl, Yusuf Demir, Marco Tilio
- FW: Tonni Adamsen
Thorup has been consistent with his selections. Niklas Hedl is the clear first-choice goalkeeper. The back four picks itself based on minutes played, with Raux-Yao and Cvetković providing composure centrally and Bolla and Horn offering width. Bajlicz and Amane as the double pivot give Rapid the defensive cover to let the attacking three roam. Yusuf Demir has been one of the more creative outlets, and Tonni Adamsen leads the line having scored four times in five games. Expect a 4-2-3-1 with Seidl operating as the key link between midfield and attack.
Hearts Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Beau Reus
- DF: Tom Renaud, Stuart Findlay, Jamie McCart, Sabah Kerjota
- MF: Oisin McEntee, Jordi Altena
- MF: Blair Spittal, Calvin Miller, Josh Mcpake
- FW: Claudio Rafael Soares Braga
Beau Reus has played the most minutes in goal and is the likely starter. Tom Renaud has contributed two goals from defence and will be important at set pieces. Oisin McEntee and Jordi Altena form a solid defensive midfield pairing with combined strong interception numbers. Calvin Miller has three goals in five games from midfield and is arguably Hearts’ most dangerous player in terms of arriving late into the box. Vrancken will likely stick with his 4-2-3-1 and ask Braga to lead the press high up the pitch.
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Hearts. Source: Official Website
TipsGG Match Prediction
SK Rapid Wien are the team in form, they are at home, and they have already shown they can score against Hearts. Their 88% win rate over the last 30 days is not a fluke. Rapid have the better structure, the sharper attack, and the crowd behind them at the Allianz Stadion.
Hearts will not sit back entirely. Their recent 6-2 win over Inverness shows they can be aggressive going forward, and the tie is still level on aggregate. That creates an open match, which may actually suit Rapid more than Hearts. We expect Rapid to win 2-1 or 3-1 on the night and progress to the next round. Our primary tip is SK Rapid Wien to win and both teams to score, with over 2.5 total goals as a strong supporting market.
