DUNDEE UNITED will look to continue their excellent run of form as they welcome 11th-placed Hearts to Tannadice on Sunday afternoon.
Dundee United came out on top against city-rivals Dundee on Thursday, as they came from a goal down to claim a late 1-2 victory away at Dens Park.
That result continued their impressive run of form, with Jim Goodwin’s men having lost just one of their past 10 Premiership encounters (W5-D4-L1), winning each of their last three.
Hearts bounced back from their derby day defeat at home to Hibs and late capitulation in their draw at Ross County by defeating Motherwell 1-0 at Tynecastle to move them five points clear of rock-bottom St Johnstone.
Whilst that’s now three wins from their last four at their Gorgie base, The Jam Tarts have struggled away from home all season, picking up just five points from a possible 30 (W1-D2-L7), with their solitary success coming at St Johnstone.
How the bookies view it: Tangerines slight favourites
Dundee United come into this clash as slight favourites, with BoyleSports pricing them up at 13/10 to make it four consecutive wins.
A rare away win for Hearts is 7/4 with the same bookie, whilst the draw is 9/4.
Head to head: Hearts dominance of late
Dundee United have won just one of their last nine meetings with The Jambos, however, that did come earlier in the season in their last meeting at Tynecastle.
Players to watch: Dalby to deliver once again
Sam Dalby is Dundee United’s top scorer this season, banging in 10 goals in the Premiership, and scored the late winner at rivals Dundee on Thursday.
17-year-old James Wilson will lead the line in the absence of captain Lawrence Shankland and bagged a brace in his last away match at Ross County.
Probable line-ups
Dundee United will be without both striker Louis Moult and Craig Sibbald.
As alluded to above, Hearts will be without captain Lawrence Shankland, as well as Frankie Kent, Stephen Kingsley, Gerald Taylor and Calum Nieuwenhof
Dundee United: Walton, Strain, Adegboyega, Holt, Ferry, Sevelj, Docherty, Trapanovski, Stephenson, Middleton, Dalby
Hearts: Gordon, Forrester, Halkett, Robles, Penrice, Devlin, Grant, Spittal, Boyce, Drammeh, Wilson
Anything else catch the eye?
As alluded to above, Dundee United come into this clash having lost just one of their past 10 league outings (W5-D4-L1), including credible draws at home to champions Celtic and away at second-placed Rangers.
Jim Goodwin’s men have lost just twice at home all season (W5-D3-L2) and are unbeaten in each of their last five (W3-D2-L0), including a 1-0 win over the side they just leapfrogged into third spot last time out, Aberdeen.
Hearts, on the other hand, boast the division's worst away record, winning just once and losing seven of their opening 10 road trips (W1-D2-L7), and I think they’ll suffer more away-day misery against their in-form hosts.
This Scottish Premiership match between Dundee United and Hearts will be played on Jan 5, 2025 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Dundee United vs Hearts prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
