Both Dundee and Dundee United head into this derby buoyed by excellent weekend wins so the stage is set for what should be a cracking match in the SPFL Premiership.
A run of three successive defeats had sent the Dark Blues plummeting down the table but they bounced back in style on Sunday, claiming a 2-1 win away to in-form St Mirren.
That has kept Tony Docherty's side within striking distance of the top six as they bid to finish in the upper half for the second season in a row after winning promotion.
Rivals United are following in Dundee's footsteps, with Jim Goodwin's side riding high in fourth place after coming up from the Championship in the summer.
Sunday's dramatic 1-0 win over Aberdeen, which saw a cards bet come up for our man Mark, made it just one defeat in the last nine games for Dundee United.
They are now just three points behind the freefalling Dons and a derby win at Dens would send the feelgood factor through the roof in the Tannadice ranks.
How the bookies view it: Nothing in it
This is a tricky one to call and it's reflected in the odds, with BoyleSports pricing both sides at 6/4. The first Dundee derby of the season ended in a draw and a repeat here pays 23/10.
Recent head to head: United on top
Dundee United have held the upper hand in the derby of late, going seven games unbeaten in this fixture. But four of those matches have ended level, including 2-2 draws in the last two meetings. It ended also ended 0-0 when these teams last faced off at Dens in 2022.
Players to watch: Murray back in business
Simon Murray had struggled for fitness in the build-up to Christmas but the Dundee striker returned to form with a match-winning double against St Mirren. He's 9/4 at BoyleSports for anytime scorer in the derby and that looks a bit overpriced.
The goals of Sam Dalby have been crucial to Dundee United's surge up the table and the on-loan Wrexham striker is top scorer in the Premiership with nine goals. He's 13/8 at BoyleSports to take that tally to double figures in the derby.
Probable line-ups
Dundee have problems in defence, with Jordan McGhee and Billy Koumetio forced off in the win over St Mirren. They join fellow stoppers Antonio Portales, Clark Robertson and Ziyad Larkeche on the sidelines. New Mexican midfielder Cesar Garza could make his debut, although he will probably start on the bench.
Louis Moult and Craig Sibbald are set to miss out again for United while defender Declan Gallagher serves the second game of his two-match ban.
Dundee: Carson, Ingram, Astley, Kelly, Mulligan, Cameron, Sylla, F Robertson, Adewumi, Palmer-Houlden, Murray.
Dundee United: Walton, Strain, Holt, Ferry, Adegboyega, Sevelj, Docherty, Trapanovski, Middleton, Stephenson, Dalby,.
Anything else catch the eye?
We saw plenty of goals in the first derby of the season at Tannadice and that helped bring up a bet for our man Mark. With Dundee missing key men in defence there should be more thrills here and combining BTTS with over 2.5 goals pays 21/20 at BoyleSports.
Going for the half-time draw is always a good bet in a derby and that has come up in the last three meetings of these sides at Dens. It pays a decent 11/10 at BoyleSports here.
The card markets are always worth a look when these sides collide and over 4.5 cards pays 4/6 with Bet365. There's better value in backing certain players to go into the book and United's Vicko Sevelj looks good at 21/10 for a seventh card this term.
This Scottish Premiership match between Dundee and Dundee United will be played on Jan 2, 2025 and kick off at 17:30. Check below for our tipsters best Dundee vs Dundee United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
