Aiming to continue their strong start to the 2024-25 season, Dundee United will host Hibernian at Tannadice Park on Saturday afternoon in the Scottish Premiership.
The hosts are fifth in the table with 12 points from seven outings, while the visitors are 10th in the league with just five points from their first seven fixtures.
Match preview
After suffering relegation from the top division in 2022-23, Dundee Utd made an impressive return to the Scottish Premiership as they brilliantly lifted the Scottish Championship title last campaign, finishing on 75 points from 36 games.
Jim Goodwin, who was appointed in March 2023, was initially unable to keep the side in the top division in his first half-season in charge, but the Irishman has done an excellent job in the following two terms.
After seven matches, Dundee Utd sits comfortably in the top half of the table, accumulating 12 points from three wins, three draws, and one defeat, placing them four points ahead of sixth-placed St Mirren.
They suffered their initial defeat of the league campaign against Rangers in their fifth outing, and it looked as though their form would take a turn for the worse as they followed that up with a 2-1 loss to Motherwell in the Scottish League Cup quarter-final.
Dundee Utd looked on course for a third successive defeat as they found themselves 3-1 down against Kilmarnock heading into the final 11 minutes, but goals in the 79th and 99th minutes rescued a point for the Tangerines.
Goodwin's men followed that up with a 1-0 victory against St Mirren, and they will be aiming to maintain that form with another victory against Hibernian on Saturday.
Since finishing third in the 2020-21 season, Hibs have experienced a downward trajectory, recording two eighth-placed finishes in the subsequent campaigns and enduring another poor start to the 2024-25 term.
They have won just one of their opening seven Scottish Premiership fixtures, alongside two draws and four defeats, leaving them 10th in the standings with only five points.
Hibernian's form appeared to improve when they recorded two draws with Dundee FC and Kilmarnock and a victory against St Johnstone, but they have since lost to both Rangers and Motherwell.
David Gray, who secured the permanent managerial position ahead of this season having previously stepped in as interim manager on four occasions, will be looking to turn things around with a victory against Dundee United, a team Hibs have not beaten since December 2021.
Team News
Ryan Strain will remain on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury that he suffered at the beginning of August, but he is expected to return later this month.
Ross Graham could be a doubt for this one after the defender was forced off in the 57th minute of their victory against St Mirren last time out, meaning Kevin Holt could start in his place.
As for the visitors, Nectarios Triantis will be out of the team after being dismissed for an accumulation of yellow cards in their 2-1 defeat to Motherwell.
Kieron Bowie and Martin Boyle are both unavailable as they continue their recovery from injuries, although Boyle is expected to make his return later this month.
Joe Newell could be set to return to the squad after being sidelined since a 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock in early September due to surgery for a double hernia.
Dundee United possible starting lineup:
Walton; Adegboyega, Gallagher, Holt; Stephenson, Sevelj, Docherty, Sibbald, Ferry; Van der Sande, Dalby
Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Bursik; Miller, Ekpiteta, O'Hora, Obita; Kwon, Levitt; Cadden, Campbell, Hoilett; Kukharevych
We say: Dundee United 2-0 Hibernian
Dundee United have enjoyed a much better start to the season than their visitors, who have lost both of their last two outings, leading us to believe the hosts will win this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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![Stuart Kettlewell file photo of Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell, who is looking to tie down the majority of his squad before pre-season as he revealed every player knows where they stand ahead of Sunday s final game - 22/04/2023 [on July 26, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/30/stuart-kettlewell_1.jpg?w=87&h=65&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Stuart Kettlewell file photo of Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell, who is looking to tie down the majority of his squad before pre-season as he revealed every player knows where they stand ahead of Sunday s final game - 22/04/2023 [on July 26, 2024]")
