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Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Scottish League Cup clash between Hearts and Dumbarton, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Hearts, aiming to finish Group E with a flawless record, are set to take on Dumbarton on Wednesday night in the Scottish League Cup. 

The hosts are top of the standings with nine points from three fixtures, while the visitors are fourth in the table with three points from their two matches. 

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Match preview

Hearts endured a challenging 2024–25 season, with Steven Naismith, Neil Critchley and Liam Fox each taking turns at the helm, as the Jambos dropped out of the Scottish Championship's top half for the first time since returning to the top flight in 2021-22.

Derek McInnes was appointed from Kilmarnock ahead of the upcoming campaign, and the new manager has made a superb start to life at the Jambos. 

Hearts are still undefeated under their new boss after four matches, beating Crawley Town 3-1 in their pre-season fixture before winning all three of their Scottish League Cup matches. 

The Jambos have defeated Dunfermline Athletic 4-1, Hamilton Academical 4-0 and Stirling Albion 4-0 in Group E, leaving them at the top of the standings. 

Now aiming to end the Scottish League Cup group stage with a flawless record and maintain their momentum heading into the new Scottish Premiership campaign, Hearts face Dumbarton on Wednesday. 

Dumbarton will be major underdogs heading into this encounter, especially after suffering relegation from Scottish League One last season as they finished bottom of the table with just 20 points from 36 fixtures. 

Steve Farrell, in charge since May 2021, started the 2025-26 campaign on a more positive note as Dumbarton defeated Stirling Albion 1-0, but they were defeated Dunfermline 4-0 in their most recent match. 

Looking to record a shock victory over Hearts, Dumbarton will have to overcome a negative record against the Jambos, having lost four, drawn one and won only one of their last six meetings.

Hearts Scottish League Cup form:

Hearts form (all competitions):

Dumbarton Scottish League Cup form:

Dumbarton form (all competitions):

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Team News

The hosts have dominated in Group E of the Scottish League Cup with three wins from three, and after back-to-back 4-0 wins, McInnes could name a similar team on Wednesday. 

McInnes could make a host of substitutions throughout the match, meaning the likes of James Wilson and Elton Kabangu could come into an expected starting attack of Lawrence Shankland and Claudio Braga.

As for Dumbarton, a back three of Mark Durnan, Morgyn Neill and Cameron Clark could feature, with Ryan Blair and Gordon Walker from wing-back positions.

Further up the pitch, Scott Tomlinson and Tony Wallace could start on the wings, while Scott Honeyman may lead the line for Dumbarton. 

Hearts possible starting lineup:

Clark; Borchgrevink, Halkett, Findlay, Milne; Forrest, McEntee, Devlin, Kyziridis; Shankland, Braga

Dumbarton possible starting lineup:

Ecrepont; Walker, Durnan, Neill, Clark, Blair; Tomlinson, Kirkpatrick, McIntosh, Wallace; Honeyman

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We say: Hearts 3-0 Dumbarton

 

Hearts have been extremely dominant in Group E in their three matches so far, and with Dumbarton several divisions below the hosts, we expect another significant victory for the Jambos.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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