Where and when is Spartans vs Hearts U21 played?

Spartans vs Hearts U21 is played on August 25, 2026 at 06:45 PM (UTC) at Ainslie Park Stadium, in the Challenge Cup.

Will there be over 2.5 goals?

The Footlab model gives a 76% probability of at least three goals in this match.

How reliable is this prediction?

The Footlab model is measured at 53.9% correct 1X2 outcomes on a temporal hold-out, against 33.3% for random guessing. The breakdown by competition and Elo gap is published on the accuracy page.

Match

Spartans vs Hearts U21: prediction and stats

Challenge CupGroup Stage - 2Kick-off on August 25, 2026 at 06:45 PM (UTC)Ainslie Park Stadium, Edinburgh

Spartans

Hearts U21

The Footlab model makes Spartans the favourite at 72%, against 16% for a draw and 12% for Hearts U21. The most likely score is 2-1.

This model is measured at 53.9% 1X2 accuracy on a temporal hold-out, against 33.3% for random guessing. See the measured accuracy

Probabilities recomputed on Aug 24, 2026 — the full match card is recomputed continuously until kick-off.

Who will win Spartans vs Hearts U21?

Spartans starts as the favourite with a 211-point Elo edge (1,611 vs 1,400).

Spartans win72 %

Draw16 %

Hearts U21 win12 %

What is the recent form of both teams?

Over their last 15 matches in all competitions, Spartans have 3 wins, 6 draws and 6 defeats; Hearts U21 have 5, 1 and 9.

The competition is shown for every match: in pre-season, several of these games are friendlies.

Spartans
Date	Opponent	Score	Competition
Aug 22, 2026	Elgin City(home)	3-3	League Two
Aug 15, 2026	Stranraer(away)	0-1	League Two
Aug 11, 2026	East Fife(away)	2-2	Challenge Cup
Aug 8, 2026	Edinburgh City(home)	2-2	League Two
Aug 1, 2026	Annan Athletic(away)	4-2	League Two

Hearts U21
Date	Opponent	Score	Competition
Aug 11, 2026	Berwick Rangers(away)	4-3	Challenge Cup
Apr 18, 2026	Cowdenbeath(away)	0-3	Football League - Lowland League
Apr 10, 2026	Albion Rovers(home)	3-0	Football League - Lowland League
Apr 3, 2026	East Stirlingshire(away)	2-4	Football League - Lowland League
Mar 20, 2026	Clydebank(home)	0-8	Football League - Lowland League

What does the head-to-head say?

Across the last 3 meetings: 2 Spartans win(s), 1 draw(s), 0 Hearts U21 win(s).

Date	Score	Competition
Jul 8, 2025	Spartans 3-2 Hearts U21	Friendlies Clubs
Dec 7, 2022	Hearts U21 0-0 Spartans	Football League - Lowland League
Jul 26, 2022	Spartans 1-0 Hearts U21	Football League - Lowland League

Last archived meeting: Spartans vs Hearts U21 on Jul 8, 2025

How many goals should we expect?

Spartans score 1.5 and concede 1.8 goals per match over their last 15; Hearts U21 score 1.1 and concede 2.4. The model gives a 76% probability of over 2.5 goals and 64% for both teams to score.

Club	Goals scored / match	Goals conceded / match	Clean sheets	Both teams scored	Over 2.5 goals
Spartans	1.5	1.8	2	10/15	9/15
Hearts U21	1.1	2.4	1	7/15	11/15

Over the last 15 matches in all competitions.

Verdict, probable XI and verified absences

The full match card recomputes this prediction continuously until kick-off: multi-market verdict, player-by-player probable XI and web-verified absences.

Open the full match card in the app

No odds, no affiliation: the method is published and the accuracy is measured.

How does Footlab compute this prediction?

The model combines both teams' Elo ratings (anchored by competition pool), their recent form weighted by opponent strength, home advantage and a Poisson matrix for scorelines. Its accuracy is measured continuously on the predictions actually published. Methodology and measured accuracy

Frequently asked questions

Who is the favourite for Spartans vs Hearts U21?: The Footlab model makes Spartans the favourite at 72%, against 16% for a draw and 12% for Hearts U21.
Where and when is Spartans vs Hearts U21 played?: Spartans vs Hearts U21 is played on August 25, 2026 at 06:45 PM (UTC) at Ainslie Park Stadium, in the Challenge Cup.
Will there be over 2.5 goals?: The Footlab model gives a 76% probability of at least three goals in this match.
How reliable is this prediction?: The Footlab model is measured at 53.9% correct 1X2 outcomes on a temporal hold-out, against 33.3% for random guessing. The breakdown by competition and Elo gap is published on the accuracy page.