Hearts vs Dunfermline Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips

Match Details: July 12, 2025 | Tynecastle Park | Scottish League Cupl | 17:15 GMT

Hearts welcome old rival Neil Lennon back to Tynecastle with the former Celtic boss now in charge of Championship side Dunfermline. Meanwhile, Derek McInnes leads Hearts into the 2025-26 season having been appointed manager in May. McInnes has a good record in this competition having steered Aberdeen to the trophy and two other final appearances during his time there.

Key Betting Tip: Hearts to win to nil offers good value at 2.25.

Hearts vs Dunfermline Predicted Lineups

Given this is the first competitive game of the season for both sides it’s difficult to know how both managers will approach this assignment. Heart’s fielded almost entirely different XI’s in the first and second halves of their 8-0 friendly win over East Kilbride.

Hearts have been busy in the transfer market this summer with Christian Borchgrevink, Stuart Findlay, Claudio Braga, Alexandros Kyziridis and Oisin McEntee all signing for the Edinburgh outfit.

It has been more of a slow burner for Dunfermline in the transfer window with Lennon stating he was “hopeful” of getting some new players in before this league cup tie.

Hearts vs Dunfermline Current League Standings

Hearts finished top of the relegation phase post-split last season with four consecutive wins in the Scottish Premiership.

Dunfermline were a modest seventh in the Scottish Championship last season.

Real Madrid vs Juventus Head-to-Head Timeline

This will be the first competitive H2H tie between the two since 2021.

Recent Head-to-Head Results: 09/07/23 Dunfermline 1-1 Hearts (Friendly) 03/04/21 Dunfermline 0-0 Hearts (Sco Cship) 30/01/21 Hearts 1-0 Dunfermline (Sco Cship) 20/11/20 Dunfermline 2-1 Hearts (Sco Cship) 18/08/18 Dunfermline 0-1 Hearts (Lge Cup) Dunfermline holds a decent record across the last five H2H contests but given the long gap between fixtures there is little stock to be put in such a record.

Hearts Last 5 Matches:

Hearts 8-0 East Kilbride (Friendly) Hearts 3-1 Crawley (Friendly) Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone (Sco Prem) Hearts 3-0 Motherwell (Sco Prem) Ross County 1-3 Hearts (Sco Prem)

Having ended last season in red hot form, Hearts will be key to keep that momentum rolling going into the new campaign.

Dunfermline Last 5 Matches:

East Fife 1-3 Dunfermline (Friendly) Kelty Hearts 1-3 Dunfermline (Friendly) East Kilbride 1-0 Dunfermline (Friendly) Morton 2-0 Dunfermline (Sco Cship) Dunfermline 0-0 Airdrieonians (Sco Cship)

Dunfermline lost 1-0 to East Kilbride in pre-season, a team that Hearts thrashed 8-0 in their final warm up match.

Hearts vs Dunfermline Predictions

Having ended last season so strongly and with confidence high after a good pre-season it’s impossible to look past Hearts.

The Premiership outfit should have far too much for a Dunfermline side still finding their feet under Neil Lennon.

Best Real Madrid vs Juventus Betting Tips

Football Park’s Best Bet: Hearts to win to nil @ 2.1 (Betfred)

Key Players to Watch: Hearts vs Dunfermline

Hearts striker Lawerence Shankland will be aiming to hit the ground running off the back of 9 goals for Hearts last season. A Scottish international, Shankland recently signed a new deal to keep him at the club until 2028.

Chris Kane bagged 11 goals in 28 Championship appearances for Athletic last season and won this competition during his time at St.Johnstone. He may the one to keep the Hearts defence honest on the night.

Hearts vs Dunfermline Match Facts

Referee: N/A Broadcast Details:

UK: N/A

Stadium Information: located in the Gorgie area of Edinburgh. Opened in 1886, it has been redeveloped over the years into a modern, all-seater stadium with a capacity of just over 19,800.