A SOLD-OUT Tannadice will witness the return of the Dundee Derby on Sunday in a cracker of an opening weekend game in the Premiership.
Dundee United made hard work of eventually winning the Championship last season, but got over the line in the end.
And their reward is a flag day derby against their 200-yards away bitter rivals, Dundee.
The balance of power on Tayside certainly switched to the Dark Blues recently with Tony Docherty doing an excellent job in his first season as a manager last term.
He guided Dundee to a top six spot ahead of teams like Aberdeen and Hibs and they only just missed out on Europe.
They have looked excellent in the Premier Sports Cup group stages winning every game and scoring 18 goals in their four matches.
The addition of boyhood fan and ex-Dundee United striker Simon Murray looks a masterstroke too.
United recovered after losing their opening game at Falkirk to get three wins and squeeze through their section.
Manager Jim Goodwin has added a couple of North Macedonians to his squad this summer after his success with bringing in countryman Bojan Miovski to Aberdeen.
How the bookies view it: Home advantage tips balance in United's favour
It's perhaps a surprise to see Dundee United as strong favourites as they are at 11/8 pretty much across the board.
Dundee can be backed at 2/1 with bet365. The draw is 23/10 with Betfred.
Recent head to heads: Derby on a knife edge.
This is their first meeting for two seasons and three of the last four meetings have ended in draws.
However, Dundee have a dreadful record at Tannadice. Dundee United have not lost at their home to their street rivals for 20 years.
Players to watch: Murray and the Macedonian on show
Kristijan Trapanovski has already excited the United fans since his arrival from homeland club Shkupi with three goals in four games in the group stages. He is 9/2 to score anytime with bet365.
Simon Murray scored 26 goals in a season for Ross County in all competitions last season and has already started where he left off in his second spell for Dundee with five goals in three games. He is surely worth a punt at 11/4 with bet365 to score at Tannadice.
Predicted line-ups:
Dundee: McCracken, McGhee, Astley, Portales, Ingram, McCowan, Cameron, Sylla, Tiffoney, Main, Murray.
Dundee United: Walton, Holt, Sevelj, Graham, Gallagher, Babunski, Ferry, Sibbald, Middleton, Trapanovski, Moult
Anything else catch the eye?
Dundee have started the season on fire and they look a cracking bet to finally break their Tannadice hoodoo on Sunday.
Tony Docherty has built a side with plenty of goals in them. They have a strong midfield with young Scotland Under 21s ace Lyall Cameron pulling the strings and plenty of options up front.
As stated, Simon Murray should be an excellent signing and if he can form a partnership with the experience of Curtis Main, Dundee should be a dark horse to challenge for best of the rest this season outside the Old Firm.
United still look short on quality and they have taken a gamble with their North Macedonian imports. It may work out, it may not.
Certainly, the value looks to be with the visitors here and with the goal threat in their team, they are worth backing to score two goals or more too at 6/4 with McBookie.com
This Scottish Premiership match between Dundee United and Dundee will be played on Aug 4, 2024 and kick off at 12:30. Check below for our tipsters best Dundee United vs Dundee prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
