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The general feeling is that Hearts will rebound from the disappointment of missing out on the Scottish Premiership title last season.
In Tony Bloom, they have one of the sharpest co-owners in football. He has overseen the revolution at Brighton that has transformed them into one of the English Premier League’s most reliable performers.
The Jam Tarts also benefit from Bloom’s Jamestown Analytics, the data firm that has helped both Brighton and Hearts to recruit little-known talents for miniscule transfer fees.
But the loss of head coach McInnes and the talismanic striker Lawrence Shankland to Rangers undoubtedly hurts, and it may be a while for the new signings to settle in at Tynecastle Park.
The new boss, Wouter Vrancken, is also getting to grips with life in Edinburgh… and it’s not been the easiest of starts. A 1-2 defeat at Aberdeen on the opening day of the Scottish Premiership campaign followed a 0-6 aggregate hammering at the hands of Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifying.
Things are unlikely to get any easier on Thursday (20:00 GMT) against Benfica, who went the entire Liga Portugal season unbeaten under Jose Mourinho (W23 D11 L0).
The Special One may be gone, but he’s been replaced by former Fulham manager Marco Silva, who inherits a group of players very keen to get their new season up and running with victory over Hearts.
Benfica v Hearts Tips
Benfica to Win to Nil @ 4/5 (Bet365)
Match Goal Range: 2-4 & Benfica Goal Range: 2-4 @ 20/23 (Bet365)
Race to Seven Corners: Benfica @ 4/7 (Bet365)
Odds courtesy of Bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
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Hard to Beat
Although they finished third in Liga Portugal despite going unbeaten, this is a classy Benfica side that is, evidently, difficult to beat.
They defeated the likes of Napoli and Real Madrid in the Champions League last term, while the summer has also been kind – so far, Benfica have hung onto prized assets such as Andreas Schjelderup and Vangelis Pavlidis.
Mourinho may be gone, but Silva is a more than adequate replacement for a Benfica side that will be expecting to challenge for silverware on multiple fronts this season.
Hearts, having conceded eight goals and scored just once so far in 2026/27, may end up being on the end of another galling defeat on Thursday.
Tip: Benfica to Win to Nil @ 4/5 (Bet365)
Explanation: Our bet lands if Benfica win and Hearts fail to score.
Doubling Up
We can double up on our first pick with a Bet Builder selection that offers a little more wriggle room.
If we expect Hearts not to score on Thursday, then that 2-4 goal range – both in the match and for Benfica individually – covers the 2-0, 3-0 and 4-0 scorelines… while 2-1 and 3-1 to Benfica are also catered for.
Not bad at a price of just shy of even money.
Tip: Match Goal Range: 2-4 & Benfica Goal Range: 2-4 @ 20/23 (Bet365)
Explanation: Our bet lands if there are 2-4 goals in the game (in total) and Benfica score between 2-4 as well.
Magnificent Seven
Benfica were outstanding in their last competitive start, recording a 5-0 win over St Gallen.
They enjoyed 72% possession in that match, created 4.01 xG and also won nine corners.
So maybe we can expect something similar on Thursday. Backing Benfica to a) win seven corners and b) beat Hearts to that milestone seems more than fair at the price.
Tip: Race to Seven Corners: Benfica @ 4/7 (Bet365)
Explanation: Our bet lands if Benfica win 7+ corners and reach seven before Hearts do.
Benfica vs Hearts: Match result odds
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.