Celtic head into their match with Dundee United hoping to at least maintain their eight-point advantage over Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership table.

United are currently on a dismal run of form, but three points at Tannadice would reignite their hopes of a third-place finish.

Dundee United

Dundee United may occupy fourth place in the Scottish Premiership standings, but the last two months have proven to be a struggle for Jackie McNamara's side.

The Terrors have recorded just one win in their last 12 fixtures - against Hamilton Academical two weeks ago - and they need to improve on Sunday if they are to earn a result against Celtic.

However, United aren't strangers to facing the Glasgow giants. In March, a rare run of fixtures occurred where the two teams met four times in the space of 14 days, with three games taking place in the League Cup and Scottish Cup respectively.

March began with a 1-1 draw in the last eight of the Scottish Cup before Celtic prevailed 2-0 in the League Cup final at Hampden Park. Celtic followed that with a comprehensive 4-0 triumph in the replay before they eased past United in a Scottish Premiership game.

McNamara has witnessed his team fail to recover from being outclassed by the league leaders, and while they will still have ambitions of finishing in third, their priority should be ensuring that they end the campaign no lower than fourth.

That may happen unless the club can rediscover their touch in front of goal. They have netted just four times in nine matches, something which was highlighted when they failed to take advantage of playing against 10 men at Aberdeen last weekend.

Recent form: LLLLWL
Recent form (all competitions): LLLLWL

Celtic

Since the turn of the year, it appeared inevitable that Celtic would achieve their first domestic treble since 2001, but last week's defeat to Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Cup has ended their ambitions for another season.

The setback can perhaps be put down to the failure of the referee to send off Inverness player Josh Meekings, but nevertheless, the club won't be celebrating three trophies in Ronny Deila's first season in charge.

Having another game to prepare for against Dundee probably helped Deila and his players overcome the disappointment of missing out in the Scottish Cup, and they returned to winning ways with a 2-1 win.

The scoreline suggests a tight match but Celtic's three points were only ever threatened in the final stages. After holding on for the victory, they now sit eight clear at the top of the table.

However, Deila will be aware that his team still have work to do if they want to see off the challenge of Aberdeen, who have enjoyed one of their best campaigns in recent memory.

Sunday's game will be Celtic's fifth fixture in 15 days, and with results getting closer and no clean sheets being recorded in four games, it's not a foregone conclusion that they will earn a fourth successive win over their opponents.

Recent form: WWWDWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWDWLW

Team News

Striker Robbie Muirhead could make first start for Dundee United since joining the club from Kilmarnock.

The 19-year-old is likely to come in for Mario Bilate, who is expected to miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.

Former United duo Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven will feature on their first return to Tannadice since leaving the club for Celtic in January.

Striker John Guidetti could feature after making substitute appearances in the last two fixtures.

Dundee United possible starting lineup:
Cierzniak, Fojut, Morris, Butcher, McGowan, Souttar, Telfer, Erskine, Dixon, Ciftci, Muirhead

Celtic possible starting lineup:
Gordon, Ambrose Emuobo, van Dijk, Denayer, Izaguirre, Bitton, Brown, Forrest, Armstrong, Mackay-Steven, Guidetti

Head To Head

As expected, games between Celtic and Dundee United have generally been one-sided affairs, with Celtic winning 59 times in 80 matches and United managing just five victories.

The Terrors have only won once in their last 15 attempts, but that came at the start of the season as Deila struggled to settle at Celtic Park.

However, Celtic were successful in the last encounter between the two teams, winning 3-0 at Celtic Park on March 21.

We say: Dundee United 1-3 Celtic

We can't see anything other than a Celtic win here. Dundee United may pose a threat during the early stages, but if Celtic find a rhythm as well as an early goal, they should run out comfortable victors.