Preview: Dundee United vs. Hibernian - prediction, team news, lineups

Dundee United welcome Hibernian to Tannadice on Saturday for a Scottish Premiership clash that both teams will be desperate to win.

Neither of these teams has been in great form recently and both need to re-inject some momentum back into their seasons as soon as possible.

Match preview

© Reuters

Dundee United ended a run of three consecutive draws in midweek in the worst way possible when they were thrashed 5-1 at home by St Mirren.

Although the Arabs are in sixth place in the table, they are only eight points off the relegation zone, and St Mirren are now breathing hard down their neck.

Manager Micky Mellon has revealed that he has not been told to sell players this month, despite financial problems that have seen fans pledge to raise £100,000 to help the club by the end of April.

United have now failed to win in their last six matches, so things on the field are not looking particularly great.

The visit of Hibs is unlikely to bring any joy either, given that United have failed to beat the men from Leith in their last six games against them in all competitions.

Hibs themselves are also hunting for a badly needed three points, after two consecutive defeats in the League Cup and Scottish Premiership.

The first of those losses came last weekend, when Jack Ross 's side were beaten 3-0 in the League Cup semi-final at Hampden Park by St Johnstone.

Ross was angry with his team after that display, and also will have been unhappy that they followed that loss up with another in the league in midweek.

Although the opponents were high-flying Rangers, who won 1-0 at Easter Road, the way in which Alfredo Morelos scored the winner in the second half after appearing to stamp on Ryan Porteous early in the first half will have infuriated Ross and his players.

Hibs remain in fourth place in the table, though, five points ahead of Livingston and three behind faltering Aberdeen, so a win on Saturday would do a lot to wash away the woes of the last week or so.

Dundee United Scottish Premiership form: DLDDDL

Hibernian Scottish Premiership form: LLLDWL

Hibernian form (all competitions): LLDWLL

Team News

© Reuters

United goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist started on the bench against St Mirren as he is struggling to shake off an ankle injury. Mellon has stated that he expects the Swiss keeper to be fit for Saturday, though, so Deniz Mehmet might drop out.

Jeando Fuchs is still out with a knee injury, while Logan Chalmers is nearing a return from an ankle injury but has not returned to action yet.

Declan Glass 's ACL injury is expected to keep him out for the rest of the season.

For Hibs, Joe Newell and Sean Mackie continue their recoveries from groin and thigh injuries respectively and are unlikely to feature this weekend.

Dundee United possible starting lineup:

Siegrist; Smith, Connolly, Reynolds, Robson; Powers; Bolton, Clark, Harkes, McNulty; Shankland

Hibernian possible starting lineup:

Marciano; McGinn, McGregor, Porteous; Cadden, Irvine, Gogic, Hallberg, Doig; Doidge, Nisbet

We say: Dundee United 0-1 Hibernian

Dundee United look like a side that has forgotten how to win games recently and we would expect Hibs to enjoy a narrow win on Tayside on Saturday.

Ross's side will be stinging after their League Cup exit and the manner of their defeat to Rangers and we suspect that United will feel the rough end of their reaction.

Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.