Heart of Midlothian – Sturm Graz Tip Champions League, 2nd round, second leg on Tuesday, 28.07.2026 at 20:45
It wasn’t as if the Scots had been completely without a chance a week ago. But I just don’t trust them to make up such a high deficit anymore! From the Styrians’ point of view, a lot would have to get out of hand in the second leg!
Nevertheless, according to my comprehensive Heart of Midlothian Sturm Graz prediction, I expect at least a dignified farewell from the first adventure in the Champions League since 2007. The first half hour should belong to the hosts.
The selection of 1st goal: Heart of Midlothian at odds of around 1.65 at many bookmakers with cashout appeals to me in particular. Don’t forget that the Scots haven’t lost a competitive game within 90 minutes at home for over a year (!).
Heart of Midlothian vs. Sturm Graz AI predictions:
Of course, our Heart of Midlothian Sturm Graz AI prediction didn’t read my introduction above. But the fact that the Scots are a strong home team, who even beat Rayo in the pre-season, has of course not escaped our model either!
In addition: Painful summer departures or not – the almost historic success of the strong Hearts in the previous season was by no means a product of chance. They were almost the first team since 1985 to break through the phalanx of the two big clubs from Glasgow.
Predicted chance of winning:
| Win Heart of Midlothian |
Draw |
Victory Sturm Graz |
| 51.8% |
23.3% |
24.9% |
If you want to take a little more risk, you could opt for the more precise betting suggestion of our AI. Because in the selection Win Hearts & both score to 3.30, a final result such as 2:1 or 3:1 for the host is strongly assumed.
In fact, I think this could be the end result! The Scots could even easily lead 2-0 after 60 minutes, before a goal by Graz will suddenly take the wind out of their sails!
Incidentally, the game data analyzed by our AI also suggests a turbulent beginning. The selection 1st half: Over 1.5 goals to 2.32 would certainly be obvious, as the host inevitably has to take action early to be able to make up for the brutal 0:4.
What you need to know about Heart of Midlothian vs. Sturm Graz betting
- Balanced first leg: The showdown a week ago was by no means one-sided. With an xG value of 1.96 each, the matter could well have ended with a performance-based 2:2.
- Record Austria vs. Scotland: In European knockout duels, the Austrian Bundesliga recently prevailed in 4 out of 6 matches against teams from the Scottish Premiership.
- Premiere duel: The first leg in Graz marked the first official competitive meeting between the two clubs in UEFA history.
- Comfortable cushion: Sturm Graz can afford a defeat with a three-goal difference at Tynecastle Park in Edinburgh after the 4-0 win a week ago to safely advance to the 3rd qualifying round.
