Victory will or would

[Kontol]

In the following sentence, can I use "will" instead of "would?"

Hearts host Celtic on Sunday. Victory would put them eight points clear in the Scottish Premiership title race.

 

[5jj]

You can - if you are 100% certain of the victory.

 

[emsr2d2]

Since the match hasn't happened yet, the result is not known. You have two options here - one using "will" and one using "would". Which one you use depends entirely on what verb form you would use with the "If" clause.

If Hearts win on Sunday, it will put them eight points clear ...
If Hearts won/were to win on Sunday, it would put them eight points clear ...