HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN saw their impressive unbeaten run grind to a halt in midweek but will be confident of getting back on track straight away when they host rock-bottom Dundee United.
Hopes were high among Jambos that they could hurt Rangers in midweek but Michael Beale's side swept them aside in a 3-0 loss that could have been far heavier.
It was Gers who last inflicted defeat on Robbie Neilson's side back in November and Wednesday's result perhaps sums up how far ahead the Old Firm are from the other Premiership sides.
But Hearts still look the best of the rest by a distance and Dundee United will have to be at their best to halt an alarming run of results that has sent them back to the bottom of the table.
It looked like Liam Fox was turning things round at Tannadice but it's now just one win in five for United – and that came against minnows Stirling University in the Scottish Cup.
They lost a relegation six-pointer at Kilmarnock on Wednesday, with my tip of a one-goal winning margin landing, and with things so tight in the bottom half of the SPFL Premiership, Dundee United badly need to get some more points on the board.
How the bookies view it
Despite their dismal performance in midweek, it's no great surprise to see Heart of Midlothian as odds-on favourites at home. The Jambos are a best 7/10 with Bet365 while Dundee United are 19/4 at Unibet and the draw pays 16/5 with LiveScoreBet.
Recent head to head
Heart of Midlothian have bossed this fixture in recent seasons, going seven matches unbeaten. They battered Dundee United 4-1 at Tynecastle earlier this season but the last meeting ended in a 2-2 draw at Tannadice, with Jambos No.1 Craig Gordon picking up a serious knee injury.
Players to watch
Lawrence Shankland has haunted old club Dundee United this season, netting in both games for Hearts. The Scotland striker is 21/20 with Bet365 to add to his tally of 20 for the season.
Glenn Middleton usually looks the brightest spark in attack for United and has the ability to conjure up a moment of magic. The former Rangers kid is 7/1 with VBet for a Tynecastle goal which looks a bit overpriced.
Anything else catch the eye?
We've seen plenty of thrills in this fixture so far this season and it bodes well for another open game. Both teams to score is a best 4/5 at William Hill while over 2.5 goals is the same price. Combining those two options in a bet builder could pay off.
Nine yellows have been flashed across the two meetings this term so the card markets are worth a look. Over 4.5 cards is 33/20 at Unibet and I like Dundee United -1 in the card handicap (2/1, Bet365) as they won that count 4-0 on their last trip to Tynecastle.
Neilson got his tactics wrong in midweek by going too gung-ho but Hearts have the firepower to hurt United's defence so the 8/5 on offer at McBookie for the Jambos to score in each half looks decent.
This Scottish Premiership match between Heart of Midlothian and Dundee United will be played on Feb 4, 2023 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Heart of Midlothian vs Dundee United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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