Thistle boss Kris Doolan knows his side's tussle against Hearts will be a "big challenge" but realises everyone loves a cup upset.

"There's not been any upsets so far, you always want to be the one who causes it, but we know what we're coming into," he tells BBC Sportsound.

"This is a big side, a big club but for us, it's about the manner in which we go about things. The mentality of our side will be a big factor.

"We have to stay in the game early doors and making Hearts do something special to get through us.

"It's a tough, tough challenge, but I still want us to have a threat going forward, I'd still like to try and score a goal here."

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After a disappointing end to last season, there are signs that Hearts are finding their feet under the hybrid Steven Naismith-Frankie McAvoy management arrangement.

They have won three out of their four games this season, drawing with Kilmarnock then beating Rosenborg in their latest two, both at home.

Thistle's renaissance under Kris Doolan ended in disappointment last season, but they showed they can match top-flight opposition when they were minutes away from winning promotion before losing out to Ross County in the Premiership play-off.

However, they have only won two of six fixtures so far this term and lost 2-1 away to Airdrieonians last time out in the Championship.

Ian Murray is hopeful Rovers can put a smile on the face of the 1600 fans who have travelled from Kirkcaldy.

"It's great to be back," the former Hibs captain now Rovers boss tells BBC Scotland. "The pitch is looking in good condition and it has the makings of a good game between two decent sides.

"Forget about scorelines. We've got to play well. That's my message to the players.

"We've had a good start to the season while it's been a very productive week for Hibs, doing well to go to Switzerland and get a result.

"A few changes in the Hibs line-up but still very good players."

Hearts' technical director Steven Naismith tells BBC Sportsound there is "without a doubt" things that could be done to help clubs competing in European competitions.

"The co-efficiency being high has helped Scottish football - it's fantastic for everyone," he says. "There is an element that helps everyone, but as a country, we do need to look at it a bit better. It will definitely help. We need to make sure every Scottish team has the best chance to progress in Europe.

"You go through pre-season not having played a lot of competitive games then you have a lot of games crammed into short period of time, so there is an element that the impact of Thursday night is on some players."

On ringing in the changes, Naismith adds: "We've managed to build a good squad who we think can all contribute. We wanted guys who could come and help when we were making our signings, not just guys to fill the jerseys."

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Hibernian manager Lee Johnson adds his voice to those asking for better preparation during a busy period of two games a week.

"I'm not being negative about anyone running Scottish football, but we have to give clubs the best possible chance (in European competition)," he tells BBC Scotland.

"We have to be as fresh as possible and they can help at times in both league and cup. Sometimes it feels like we are at the mercy of TV rights and schedules.

"We don't have a big enough squad to cope with four or five injuries and we need as much help as we can get.

"It's not me throwing the toys out of the pram. I'm looking at the bigger picture. We have to help our home sides."

Which Hibs will turn up today?

They have recovered from their opening ignominious defeat by Inter Club D'Escaldes to progress past the Andorran part-timers then impressively sweep aside Swiss side Luzern to set up Thursday's Conference League play-off with Aston Villa.

However, they have lost both of their opening Premiership games and today host a Raith Rovers side who are unbeaten over 90 minutes in their six matches this season.

The Kirkcaldy side's only blip came in their opening Viaplay Cup group game, when they lost the bonus point shoot-out after a 1-1 draw with Dunfermline Athletic.

Indeed, Rovers have shown they can compete with a Premiership side this season already, taking the bonus point in their group game away to Kilmarnock after a 2-2 draw.

Manager Ian Murray, the former Hibs captain and utility player, is not the only Easter Road connection among the visitors.

Goalkeeper Kevin Dabrowski joined midfielder Sam Stanton and striker Jamie Gullan at Stark's Park this summer.

But the Pole and former Hibs team-mate David Marshall will be doing well to prevent guaranteed goals considering Neither Hibs nor Rovers have kept a clean sheet in six games this season.

At least three have been scored in all six of Hibs' outings, while Rovers have scored at least twice in their last five.

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After a gruelling battle on Thursday night against Rosenborg, and with an eye on PAOK on Thursday no doubt, it's no surprise to see Frankie McAvoy and co ring the changes.

There's a Hearts debut for Odel Offiah, the on-loan Brighton and Hove Albion defender who joined the Jambos on Friday.

Striker Kenneth Vargas, who wasn't eligible to play against the Norwegian outfit, is in for his first start too.

There's six changes in total, with Toby Sibbick, Calem Nieuwenhof, Alex Lowry and Barrie McKay also coming in.

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With one eye on Wednesday's Europa Conference League play-off first leg at home to Aston Villa, Hibs shuffle the pack.

Former Nottingham Forest centre-half Riley Harbottle is given a debut and teenage defender Kanayo Megwa makes his first start among six changes from the side that started the midweek draw away to Luzern.

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Sportsound coverage of today's games has just started on BBC Radio Scotland.

Former Old Firm goalkeepers Pat Bonner and Cammy Bell, plus men of many clubs Rory Loy and Allan Preston, join host Richard Gordon.

Just click the wee button at the top of this page to listen in.

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Thistle will perhaps see this tie as a welcome distraction to a tricky start to the Championship season.

Manager Kris Doolan makes one change from the side that lost to Airdrieonians last timeout, with on-loan Kilmarnock midfielder Kerr McInroy returning and replacing James Lyon.

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Ian Murray makes two changes to his Rovers side after the 3-2 win over Greenock Morton last time out.

Captain Scott Brown returns to midfield along with on-loan Dundee man Shaun Byrne.

But talented playmaker Dylan Easton misses out, while former Livingston striker Jack Hamilton drops to the bench.

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Heart of Midlothian: Clark, Offiah, Kent, Rowles, Sibbick, Cochrane, Nieuwenhof, Lowry, McKay, Vargas, Shankland.

Substitutes: McGovern, Kingsley, Grant, Boyce, Devlin, Halliday, Forrest, Denholm, Tagawa.

Partick Thistle: Mitchell, McMillan, Muirhead, Williams, Milne, Williamson, Bannigan, McInroy, Lawless, Fitzpatrick, Graham.

Substitutes: Sneddon, Dowd, Ngwenya, Alston, McDonald, Stanway, Lyon, Diack, Adeloye.

Hibernian: Marshall, Megwa, Harbottle, Hanlon, Obita, Jeggo, Campbell, Boyle, Youan, Le Fondre, Doidge.

Substitutes: Boruc, Miller, Fish, Vente, Newell, Stevenson, Henderson, Delferriere, Molotnikov.

Raith Rovers: Dabrowski, Dick, Millen, Watson, Murray, Smith, Mullin, Stanton, Brown, Byrne, Vaughan.

Substitutes: Thomson, Gullan, Hamilton, Ross, McGill, Arnott, Mitchell, Masson.

Let's get to the all-important team news from the festival city (I dread to think what the traffic is like through there today with two big matches on top of the usual mayhem)...

It's not often that both Hearts and Hibs are kicking off at home at the same time.

Not only that, but both Edinburgh sides host Championship opposition who have not beaten them in six meetings since 2014 and who they last got the better of them in the Scottish Cup in 2019.

Thistle last defeated Hearts in a Premiership game in February 2017 - and have not won in seven visits to Tynecastle since a 4-2 top-flight success in May 2014.

Hearts edged out Thistle 2-1 at Tynecastle in their last meeting, which came a month after Hibs knocked out Raith Rovers by 3-1 at Easter Road four years ago.

Rovers' last win over Hibs came in Kirkcaldy in March 2016, while they have not won in seven visits to Easter Road since that 3-2 Scottish Cup win in February 2014.

Aberdeen, Livingston, Rangers, Ross County and St Mirren are already there.

Will Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian join them, along with Celtic or Kilmarnock, in making it a full Premiership complement in this evening's Viaplay Cup quarter-final draw?

Partick Thistle and Raith Rovers have it all to do if they are to overcome home advantage enjoyed by the Edinburgh duo and cause the first shocks of the last-16.

Stay with us for the build-up, live commentary and post-match reaction from Easter Road, Tynecastle and, later, Rugby Park, where Killie entertain the cup holders.

Image source, BBC Sport