Conference League
2026-08-20 - Hearts vs Rapid Vienna
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA Conference League Play Off Round First Leg
Thursday 20th August 2026 - Kick Off 7:45pm
Hearts
The Scottish Football Association have given Hearts a requested postponement this weekend so the club can fully focus on trying to earn a spot in the Conference League Group Stage. The last month has been a big learning curve for Hearts who were thumped by Sturm Graz in the Champions League Second Qualifying Round before a similarly one-sided aggregate defeat to Benfica in the Europa League Third Qualifying Round.
It all means they have one more European tie to try and win in order to reach the League Phase of the Conference League and Hearts will be under pressure to secure a lead with the First Leg of this tie being played at Tynecastle. Both of the previous ties begun with the Away Leg, but Hearts should take encouragement from the performance in the 1-1 draw with Benfica.
Hearts are unbeaten in 3 games in all competitions since the 6-1 thumping at the Stadium of Light and they have won twice in that run to build up some momentum. After losing 0-2 at home against Sturm Graz in the Champions League Second Qualifying Round Second Leg, Hearts have scored 11 goals in 3 games at Tynecastle.
Rapid Vienna
Finishing significantly behind the likes of LASK and Sturm Graz meant Rapid Vienna had to settle for a spot in the Conference League Qualifiers as they look make the League Phase of that competition for a third straight season. The club reached the Quarter Final of the Conference League two years ago, but Rapid Vienna struggled and failed to make it through to the Knock Out Rounds last time around.
Last season, Rapid Vienna had to win three Qualifying Rounds in the Conference League and they have already beaten FC Santa Coloma and Paide Linnameeskond in the competition this season. The side have won all four ties to earn a spot in the Conference League Play Off Round, but Rapid Vienna had not won any of 5 away European games before the Second Qualifying Round success at FC Santa Coloma.
Rapid Vienna won the last game of the 2025/26 campaign and they have opened this season with real confidence having won all 8 games played in all competitions. They smashed in eight goals to crush Grazer AK at home this past weekend, while Rapid Vienna have won all 4 away games in all competitions played this season in matches where they have scored at least twice each time.
Head to Head
This is the first competitive fixture between the clubs.
Prediction
The fact that Hearts have played on team from Austria and fallen way short could be a concern in terms of the confidence within the squad, but the Scottish Premiership team have bounced back in better form over the last couple of weeks.
The early season loss to Sturm Graz will have shown Hearts what to expect in this Conference League Play Off Round tie, although they should also note that Sturm Graz finished comfortably higher than Rapid Vienna in the Austrian Bundesliga last season.
It is also important to remember that Rapid Vienna struggled mightily in the Conference League Group last season and were very fortunate to get past Dundee United in the Third Qualifying Round. The Austrians were 2-0 behind at Dundee United in the Second Leg, but fought back in the second half and eventually prevailed on Penalties.
That game will be a reminder to Hearts that they can edge to a First Leg lead in a match that should feature some decent attacking football.
Both Hearts and Rapid Vienna have been in fine form going forward- Hearts have scored 11 goals in 3 matches at Tynecastle, while Rapid Vienna have scored at least twice in all 4 away games in all competitions this season.
Goals are expected at Tynecastle, but the edge has to be with Hearts in front of the passionate support and an improving team under a new manager can take something to protect in the Austrian capital next week when this Play Off Round tie will be decided.
The Pick :
Hearts 2-1 Rapid Vienna
