Heart of Midlothian go in search of their third consecutive win to start the season and the Premier Cup Sports campaign when they travel to face Stirling Albion at Forthbank, early on Saturday evening.
Derek McInnes is off to a strong start as Hearts head coach with back-to-back wins, netting eight goals in the process.
So far, 19 players have featured across the two games, including five of the club's six summer signings. Of the 19, only four have started both games: Frankie Kent, Beni Baningime, Alan Forrest and James Wilson.
With McInnes keen to get players game time and a willingness to change shape, as he did during the week in the 4-0 win at Hamilton Accies, it makes second-guessing his line-up difficult.
With Stirling Albion likely to play a back three, however, there is every likelihood that Hearts will return to a back four.
With that, Zander Clark, Harry Milne and Lawrence Shankland should come back into the starting XI after either being left on the bench or coming on as a second-half sub due to small niggles.
Stuart Findlay is likely going to be an ever-present this season, especially with Jamie McCart out injured. As for who partners him, it is a toss-up between Kent and Craig Halkett. The latter started on the bench with the former starting both games, so we could see Halkett back in the middle.
It wouldn't be a huge surprise to see Michael Steinwender possibly shuffle across to right-back.
Hearts fans have yet to see Oisin McEntee released in that favoured centre-midfield role and he could get the chance to partner [[Beni Baningime]] in the middle of the park, or perhaps Cammy Devlin if McInnes is spreading out minutes. It would, though, be harsh on Calem Nieuwenhof dropping to the bench after two positive appearances so far.
But at this moment in time, there is a feeling that McEntee and Baningime may be the midfield combination.
Forrest is going to be a useful squad player with his versatility and with McInnes still waiting to add to his winger depth, he should return to the right-hand side of the attack where he'll stretch the game laterally. On the opposite side, we could see a debut for Alexandros Kyziridis. His natural movement is to be infield so he could play a similar role to what was asked of Claudio Braga in the Dunfermline game, while opening up the flank for Harry Milne to attack.
Hearts fans will want to see more of the Portuguese forward but don't be surprised to see him take another impact role with Shankland returning to partner Wilson. The teenager could easily be rested after playing most of the last two matches. But he provides a better-balanced attacking duo with Shankland compared to Braga, especially if Kyziridis is in the team. McInnes will want an option to stretch the game vertically.
Alternatively, it could quite well be Shankland, Braga with one of Forrest or Kyziridis and Yan Dhanda getting an opportunity.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Clark; Steinwender, Halkett, Findlay, Milne; Forrest, McEntee, Baningime, Kyziridis; Shankland, Wilson.
