Scottish Cup Final: Rangers v Hearts Prediction

For our Rangers vs Hearts prediction, we're opting for Rangers to win 2-1 to make amends for their Europa League final defeat.

Rangers cannot dwell on their Europa League Final penalty shoot-out defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt for too long or Hearts will make it double heartbreak for Giovanni van Bronkhorst’s side.

The Light Blues had their first major European trophy in decades within their sight when Joe Aribo put them ahead only for it to be cruelly snatched away by a team who knew their destiny.

Hearts have had a strange build-up to the Final. They've almost been completely overshadowed by Rangers' exploits this week. They've gone completely under the radar, which might not be a bad thing.

They've also had a curious build-up too because they have had third place secured for weeks and have kicked about in glorified friendlies from their point of view anyway since the first game of the split.

They have lost their last three games, including against a team full of Rangers kids last weekend when Robbie Neilson played a strong team.

The Blues are likely to be given a heroes’ welcome by fans in blue at Hampden Park this Saturday but it remains to be seen how they react in this cup final after losing one so recently.

Hearts take some of the worst form of their stellar season into the Scottish FA Cup final here with three-straight defeats after losing 1-3 to Rangers last Saturday.

Much of their downturn could be due to dead rubbers, as they have been safely in third place for some time, but Giovanni van Bronckhort’s side have won three and drawn one of their four matches with Hearts this season and taking them to win the trophy, be it in normal time or extra, looks the sensible way to lean here. You could add both teams to score for more value with five of Rangers last six games, and seven of Hearts’ last eight, seeing goals go each way.

Alfredo Morelos is Rangers leading scorer this season with 11 goals while Kemar Roofe has ten for the campaign. Liam Boyce is the leading Hearts goal getter with ten while Barry McKay has ten assists to his name.

For our Rangers vs Hearts prediction, we're opting for Joe Aribo to score at anytime.

Thoughts will be spared for Rangers duo Filip Helander and Alfredo Morelos as they take their place on the sidelines due to injury, while Ianis Hagi recently teased a comeback but is not registered to play.

Kemar Roofe is pushing extremely hard to be involved, and Van Bronckhorst - who made no fewer than 10 changes at the weekend - has announced that the striker will be ready to play in the final.

Allan McGregor and his 40-year-old legs will return in between the sticks, while defensive stalwarts such as top scorer Tavernier, Calvin Bassey and Connor Goldson will all protect the veteran.

Injuries

• Filip Helander
• Alfredo Morelos

Craig Halkett picked up what initially looked like a season-ending ankle injury in last month’s semi-final against Hibs, he feared he may have to settle for a cheerleading role on the sidelines.

But, after he came through the final 15 minutes of the side’s league season, in a match they lost 3-1 to Rangers, he said the effort was worth it. There are no injury or suspension concerns for Robbie Neilsen to worry about.