It is a season of hope and optimism around Gorgie - and Hearts will be hoping to back that up with an opening day win against Ross County.
Manager Robbie Neilson has carried out an intensive run of pre-season friendlies ahead of their Premiership opener at Tynecastle against the Staggies, with a Europa League play-off also looming on the horizon. They won't be getting too far ahead of themselves though with a tough test against Malky Mackay's men, who finished last term in the top six.
Neilson has been getting down to business early doors ahead of the new season and no fewer than six fresh faces have arrived to bolster their ranks. Perhaps the most eye-catching is Scotland international Lawrence Shankland in attack but Australian international Kye Rowles is also expected to be a big hit in defence during their search to replace John Souttar. Edinburgh Live Sport predicts who Hearts go with in Gorgie.
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Goalkeeper - Craig Gordon
The veteran goalkeeper is the club's undisputed number one and will start providing there's no injury.
Defence - Halkett, Rowles, Kingsley
We believe it's 3-4-3 for the Jambos and it's a strong defence that backs them up. Rowles is in the centre of it with Craig Halkett and Stephen Kingsley either side of him.
Midfield - Atkinson, Smith, Haring, Cochrane
Usually a right-back, Smith played in midfield and looked comfortable too during a friendly with Stoke last week. Peter Haring joins him in the middle with Nathan Atkinson and Alex Cochrane as wing-backs.
Attack - McKay, Shankland, Boyce
It's a toss-up between Liam Boyce and Alan Forrest in the three-man attack but we will pick Boyce to pair Shankland for the first time, alongside Barrie McKay.
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