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Trabzonspor and Heart of Midlothian meet in round 2 of the UEFA Conference League 2026/27 league stage. The match takes place this Thursday 22 October at 17:45 (UK time) at Papara Park in Trabzon, Turkey.
Thomas Reis’s revitalised Turkish side return to home soil looking to protect a flawless four-match winning streak across all competitions, having brushed Beşiktaş aside 2-0 on Monday after opening their European campaign with a 4-2 win at KuPS. Across the pitch, Wouter Vrancken takes an injury-hit Hearts team to the Black Sea coast desperate to restore pride following an embarrassing 7-1 Premiership defeat to Celtic over the weekend.
Our prediction for Trabzonspor vs. Hearts points toward a commanding performance from the hosts against a shell-shocked visiting defense.
Find out what our betting experts are predicting for today’s encounter.
Prediction
Trabzonspor to win with a handicap of -1.5
Odds are subject to change.
This fixture marks the first competitive meeting between Trabzonspor and Hearts in European football history.
The hosts have not faced Scottish opposition since the 1997/98 campaign, where they recorded a win and a draw across two matches.
For Hearts, trips to Turkey have brought little joy, having lost both of their previous two European meetings against Turkish clubs.
With no modern head-to-head record between the two sides, recent form tells the story. Trabzonspor are scoring freely under new management, while Hearts have managed just one win from their last five outings in all competitions.
Head-to-head
| 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Wins | Draws | Wins | W | D | W |
Thomas Reis’s men return to Papara Park looking to build on their perfect start under the German head coach after sweeping Beşiktaş aside 2-0 on Monday night. Below is an overview of the hosts’ current form, squad news, and projected starting XI:
The Claret-Blues have looked transformed in recent weeks, racking up 13 goals across four straight victories to climb into the Süper Lig title race.
Papara Park has become a fortress once again, with Trabzonspor winning four consecutive home matches in all competitions while keeping clean sheets in three of their last four games.
Mohamed Salah continues to provide world-class quality on the right wing, having scored nine goals in 11 outings this season. Centrally, Guinea-Bissau international Franculino Djú leads the frontline in red-hot form after netting twice in Finland on matchday one, supported by winger Aral Şimşir (or Ernest Muçi) on the left.
Reis must manage a few notable absences, as striker Paul Onuachu (muscle), Ruslan Malinovskyi (knee), and Onuralp Çevikkan remain on the sidelines.
In midfield, former Liverpool anchor Fabinho partners Ozan Tufan and Benjamin Bouchouari, while André Onana starts in goal behind Wagner Pina, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Stefan Savić, and Sílvio Cabral.
| Date | Score | Result | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19/10/2026 19/10/26 | Trabzonspor TRA | 2-0 | Besiktas BES | Win W |
| 15/10/2026 15/10/26 | KuPS KUP | 2-4 | Trabzonspor TRA | Win W |
| 10/10/2026 10/10/26 | Samsunspor SAM | 0-3 | Trabzonspor TRA | Win W |
| 01/10/2026 01/10/26 | Trabzonspor TRA | 0-1 | Drogheda United DRO | Loss L |
| 19/09/2026 19/09/26 | Trabzonspor TRA | 4-0 | Galatasaray GAL | Win W |
André Onana; Wagner Pina, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Stefan Savić, Sidny Cabral; Fabinho, Ozan Tufan; Mohamed Salah, Benjamin Bouchouari, Aral Şimşir; Franculino Djú.
Wouter Vrancken takes his Hearts squad to Turkey searching for defensive stability after Celtic tore them apart 7-1 in Glasgow on Sunday. Here is an examination of the visitors’ tactical setup, injury crisis, and expected starting lineup ahead of kickoff:
The Jambos have struggled for consistency this season, winning just once in their last five matches across all competitions.
While an opening 1-1 draw against Nordsjælland earned them a point at Tynecastle, European road trips have been brutal: Hearts have lost seven of their last nine matches on their travels in UEFA competition, including a 6-1 defeat to Benfica during Europa League qualifying.
Vrancken faces a mounting injury crisis, leaving both Oisin McEntee (calf) and Stuart Findlay (groin) back in Edinburgh. They join Blair Spittal, Tom Renaud, and Eduardo Ageu on the treatment table.
19-year-old forward James Wilson will spearhead the attack, flanked by Calvin Miller—who has scored three goals this season—and Joshua McPake.
Cláudio Braga provides support in the number 10 role, while Laurent Mendy and Tomas Magnusson anchor a patched-up midfield. In defense, Christian Borchgrevink has shaken off an ankle knock to start at right-back opposite Harry Milne, with Malachi Fagan-Walcott and Jamie McCart protecting goalkeeper Brian Reus.
| Date | Score | Result | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18/10/2026 18/10/26 | Celtic CEL | 7-1 | Heart OF Midlothian HEA | Loss L |
| 15/10/2026 15/10/26 | Heart OF Midlothian HEA | 1-1 | FC Nordsjaelland NOR | Draw D |
| 10/10/2026 10/10/26 | Heart OF Midlothian HEA | 5-0 | ST Mirren MIR | Win W |
| 19/09/2026 19/09/26 | Kilmarnock KIL | 1-1 | Heart OF Midlothian HEA | Draw D |
| 15/09/2026 15/09/26 | Falkirk FAL | 2-1 | Heart OF Midlothian HEA | Loss L |
Brian Reus; Christian Borchgrevink, Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Jamie McCart, Harry Milne; Laurent Mendy, Tomas Magnusson; Joshua McPake, Cláudio Braga, Calvin Miller; James Wilson.
Recent results (Últimos 5 partidos)
Season stats
31% Both teams to score 73%
Trabzonspor have scored at least two goals in each of their last four matches, while Hearts conceded seven on Sunday and have allowed two or more goals in nine of their last 11 European away fixtures. With the hosts full of confidence and the visitors vulnerable in transition, backing Over 2.5 goals in the match and no draw is a sensible play.
Reis’s side waste little time taking the game to opponents at Papara Park, scoring early in three of their last four wins. With Hearts short on central midfielders and shaky after Sunday’s drubbing, backing Trabzonspor to win the first half carries plenty of weight.
There is a huge gulf in quality between a firing Trabzonspor outfit featuring Mohamed Salah and a depleted Scottish side that has lost seven of its last nine away games in Europe. With the home crowd behind them, back Trabzonspor on the -1.5 Asian Handicap line to clear a two-goal victory.
| Trabzonspor x Heart OF Midlothian | ||
| Tip | Tip | Best Odd |
| Double Chance & Over/Under | Over 2.5 goals in the match and no draw | 1.46 at BetMGM |
| Money Line | Trabzonspor to win the first half | 1.65 at BetMGM |
The odds mentioned were collected at the time of writing this prediction and are subject to change. Always check the bookmaker’s site for up-to-date information.
For those looking for more options, here are a couple of extra tips for the Trabzonspor vs. Heart OF Midlothian clash.
Neither side tends to settle for low-scoring stalemates in this tournament. Pairing a decisive result with at least four goals offers great value.
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