Only Otar Kiteishivilli (29) had more shots on target than Maurice Malone (28) for Sturm Graz during their domestic campaign last year, yet the 25-year-old we’re backing for an effort on target is much more generously priced here (1.50-1.22). 

Malone took 69 shots across his 22 starts for Sturm Graz last term (3.29 per 90), seeing 28 of those efforts found the target 1.32 times per 90. 

He also averaged 1.04 shots on target per 90 in the season prior for Sturm Graz, showing that he is a reliable player to back for an effort on target where in a game where the home side are expected to have around four or five efforts on target.

Claudio Braga was one of the main reasons why Hearts found themselves in a title race last year, only Lawrence Shankland (16) scored more goals than Braga (14) in the Scottish Premiership for Hearts. 

Braga actually managed eight more shots on target than Shankland during the campaign (45 - 1.40 per 90), making him the most likely to find the target of any player in the Hearts squad during their attempt to unseat Celtic as Scottish champions. 

Braga took 101 shots overall during the campaign (3.13 per 90), so he won’t be afraid to pull the trigger when he does get an opportunity here and can serve as Hearts’ main attacking threat given that Shankland has moved on to Rangers.

Sturm Graz are strong favourites here, priced at 1.75 to come away with the victory in this first leg clash but I do think that Hearts can get on the scoresheet - as they have done in all three of the friendly matches they’ve played in the build up to this game.

I think the pricing here is mainly due to the gap in European experience between these sides. Sturm Graz have regularly been competing in the Europa League and Conference League over the last few campaigns, while this is the first time in modern history that Hearts could qualify for the Champions League if they emerge through this process.

That being said, Hearts have found the back of the net in their last 11 matches and do have the attacking quality to cause Sturm Graz problems. Crucially, the home side have not played at all since the 17th May so there is a fair chance that Hearts are just that bit sharper in this first leg encounter, despite being placed as the underdogs.