Sturm Graz vs Hearts preview

Europe flag 2026/2027 Champions League, Europe
Merkur Arena Wed, 22 Jul - 12:00 AM
Champions League
Sturm Graz STU
Hearts Hearts
KICKOFF : Wed, 22 Jul - 12:00 AM
2nd Qualifying Round Leg 1 of 2

CONTEXT

Sturm Graz host Hearts at the Merkur Arena in the first leg of their Champions League second qualifying round tie during the 2026/2027 season. This international cup fixture features two sides separated by a modest power differential with the visitors holding the edge. Sturm Graz record a power score of 71.3 while Hearts reach 75.73 for an advantage of 4.4 points. Neither team supplies recent form data or domestic league positions leaving preparation details sparse ahead of kickoff. The encounter marks an early European test for both clubs with progression dependent on results across the two legs. Venue atmosphere at Merkur Arena could influence proceedings as the sides navigate this qualifying stage without prior outing records available. Focus remains on tactical execution given the limited metrics on efficiency and set pieces.

TL;DR

  • Structural: This is the first leg of a two-legged Champions League second qualifying round tie.
  • Form: Both teams enter without any recorded recent competitive outings or form scores.
  • Squad: Hearts hold a narrow overall power advantage of 4.4 points over Sturm Graz.
  • Efficiency: No efficiency metrics are available for either side ahead of the fixture.
  • Transition: Limited data prevents detailed assessment of transitional play for both teams.
  • Set pieces: Set piece performance data shows low confidence and remains unavailable.
  • xVariable: Power scores list Hearts at 75.73 against Sturm Graz on 71.3.
  • Market: Sturm Graz 0% (Δ+0%) | Draw 0% (Δ+0%) | Hearts 0% (Δ+0%).
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
Jan 25 vs Team A
Feb 1 vs Team B
Feb 8 vs Team C
Sturm Graz Sturm Graz
Sturm Graz
VS
Hearts Hearts
Hearts
0
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
0
0 i
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
0 i
0
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
0 - 0 - 0
0
No sidelined player data available.

Win Probabilities

Live Win Probability (90 Min)
Home Sturm Graz
0%
Draw
0%
Away Hearts
0%

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
71.3
75.73
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Sturm Graz
Hearts
Power Score
71.3
75.73
League Position
-
-
Global Rank
209
126

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
Sturm Graz — Opponent-weighted form score
Hearts — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Sturm Graz Hearts

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 0 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Sturm Graz STU Home
0 matches
Hearts Hearts Away
Match Record
0
Wins
0
0
Draws
0
0
Losses
0
Goals
0
Goals Scored
0
0
Goals Conceded
0
0
Goal Difference
0
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-07-15T00:11:29+00:00

General Information

Date & Time
Jul 22, 2026, 12:00 AM
Competition
2026/2027 Champions League, Europe · 2nd Qualifying Round · Leg 1 of 2
Stadium
Merkur Arena
Capacity
16764
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair

Squad

Squad ▼

22
Ammar Helac
Ammar Helac Goalkeeper
53
Daniil Khudyakov
Daniil Khudyakov Goalkeeper
41
Elias Lorenz
Elias Lorenz Goalkeeper
5
Albert Vallci
Albert Vallci Defender
47
Emanuel Aiwu
Emanuel Aiwu Defender
35
Niklas Geyrhofer
Niklas Geyrhofer Defender
30
Paul-Friedrich Koller
Paul-Friedrich Koller Defender
2
Jeyland Mitchell
Jeyland Mitchell Defender
—
David Reinhold Burger
David Reinhold Burger Defender
23
Arjan Malic
Arjan Malic Defender
18
Emran Gamal Marwan Soglo
Emran Gamal Marwan Soglo Defender
21
Petar Petrović
Petar Petrović Defender
4
Jon Gorenc Stankovič
Jon Gorenc Stankovič Midfielder
10
Otar Kiteishvili
Otar Kiteishvili Midfielder
28
Jürgen Heil
Jürgen Heil Midfielder
80
Ryan Fosso
Ryan Fosso Midfielder
15
Gizo Mamageishvili
Gizo Mamageishvili Midfielder
19
Simon Seidl
Simon Seidl Midfielder
43
Jacob Peter Hödl
Jacob Peter Hödl Midfielder
8
Filip Jan Rózga
Filip Jan Rózga Midfielder
39
Luca Weinhandl
Luca Weinhandl Midfielder
77
Maurice Malone
Maurice Malone Attacker
20
Seedy Jatta
Seedy Jatta Attacker
17
Szymon Włodarczyk
Szymon Włodarczyk Attacker
26
Belmin Beganovic
Belmin Beganovic Attacker
32
Peter Kiedl
Peter Kiedl Attacker
9
Leon Grgic
Leon Grgic Attacker
11
Axel Kayombo
Axel Kayombo Attacker
36
Amady Camara
Amady Camara Attacker

Squad ▼

1
Craig Gordon
Craig Gordon Goalkeeper
30
Ryan Fulton
Ryan Fulton Goalkeeper
1
Alexander Schwolow
Alexander Schwolow Goalkeeper
28
Zander Clark
Zander Clark Goalkeeper
—
Liam MacFarlane
Liam MacFarlane Goalkeeper
3
Stephen Kingsley
Stephen Kingsley Defender
17
Stuart Findlay
Stuart Findlay Defender
5
Jamie Mccart
Jamie Mccart Defender
4
Craig Halkett
Craig Halkett Defender
18
Harry Milne
Harry Milne Defender
2
Christian Dahle Borchgrevink
Christian Dahle Borchgrevink Defender
64
Malachi Fagan-Walcott
Malachi Fagan-Walcott Defender
32
Adam Forrester
Adam Forrester Defender
24
Michael-John Kamson-Kamara
Michael-John Kamson-Kamara Defender
23
Jordi Altena
Jordi Altena Defender
16
Blair Spittal
Blair Spittal Midfielder
7
Calvin Miller
Calvin Miller Midfielder
27
Sander Erik Kartum
Sander Erik Kartum Midfielder
12
Tom Renaud
Tom Renaud Midfielder
31
Yan Dhanda
Yan Dhanda Midfielder
22
Tómas Bent Magnússon
Tómas Bent Magnússon Midfielder
6
Oisin McEntee
Oisin McEntee Midfielder
33
Finlay Pollock
Finlay Pollock Midfielder
25
Macauley Tait
Macauley Tait Midfielder
8
Eduardo Ageu Almeida Santos
Eduardo Ageu Almeida Santos Midfielder
—
Cormac Daly
Cormac Daly Midfielder
20
Elton Daniël Kabangu
Elton Daniël Kabangu Attacker
—
Amadou Ba-Sy
Amadou Ba-Sy Attacker
—
Pierre Landry Kabore
Pierre Landry Kabore Attacker
11
Joshua McPake
Joshua McPake Attacker
89
Alexandros Kiziridis
Alexandros Kiziridis Attacker
10
Cláudio Rafael Soares Braga
Cláudio Rafael Soares Braga Attacker
19
Severin Sabri Guendouz
Severin Sabri Guendouz Attacker
74
Rogers Mato
Rogers Mato Attacker
21
James Wilson
James Wilson Attacker
29
Sabah Kerjota
Sabah Kerjota Attacker

CONCLUSION

The narrow power gap points to a balanced contest where home support at Merkur Arena may help Sturm Graz seek an early edge in the tie. Hearts must adapt to away conditions while relying on their slight overall strength rating to stay competitive. With no form indicators or efficiency details available both sides face uncertainty in their preparations for this European qualifier. Tactical flexibility will matter given the absence of set piece insights and other advanced metrics. The opening leg sets the platform for the return fixture and shapes qualification prospects in the Champions League. Teams will emphasise disciplined organisation alongside moments of quality to gain the upper hand before travelling for the second match.