The Hearts form knack that offers Euro reassurance as pre and post World Cup prime numbers crunched

The form may have been patchy this season, but Hearts still sit four points clear in third.

The Jambos cruised to the best of the rest crown last term, securing guaranteed European group stage football in the process. After jaunts to Riga, Florence and Istanbul, fans are desperate to get the passports out again and the Tynecastle team are on track qualify for Europe, But it looks like being more of a sweat this time around, especially after the weekend defeat to Aberdeen.

Losing at Pittodrie is nothing new, just as the Dons’ Tynecastle record isn't one to shout about. But the manner of it was what caused most alarm, with Hearts 3-0 down before half-an-hour had been played and it was game over. Following back-to-back defeats against Celtic, not long after a home reverse to Rangers, those of a maroon persuasion are now looking over the shoulders when it seemed like they’d be able to coast once more just a few weeks ago.

Streaks have been a feature of the season, though. Things began well enough with wins over Ross County and Dundee United, either side of an Edinburgh derby draw that should really have been a victory. The European games then kicked in and the hectic schedule took its toll, as did injuries. Wins over RFS home and away provided some continental relief amid losses against Zurich home and away, as well as Fiorentina and Istanbul Basaksehir.

League form took a hit at that point too. A poor defeat at Livingston was hot on the heels of a League Cup exit at home to Kilmarnock. A 3-0 win at Motherwell was the outlier before Rangers won 4-0 in Gorgie. A last gasp leveller rescued a point at Kilmarnock inbetween the Fiorentina games, but a trip to Pittodrie ended in a 2-0 reverse. Celtic then won a 4-3 thriller at