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

The hosts have lost their last three games across all competitions, while the visitors' last victory away from home came in the second round of the Scottish Cup against Hearts.

Match preview

Dundee United find themselves joint-bottom of the Scottish Premiership right now, staring down a very difficult task in order to try to survive the drop, which is why a Scottish Cup game will likely be a welcomed distraction.

Although the Tangerines sit just three points shy of ninth-placed Kilmarnock with a game in hand on many of their relegation rivals, Liam Fox's men will need to turn things around quickly if they want to beat the drop.

This meeting will be the second time Dundee United have faced Kilmarnock this month, with Danny Armstrong's first-half strike being enough to give Saturday's visitors the victory last time out.

Fox's side are on a five-game winless run in the league, with the only positive during that time being their 3-0 victory over Stirling University in the previous round of the Scottish Cup.

Meanwhile, Kilmarnock tasted defeat on the road yet again last time out, losing 3-1 to Livingston thanks to goals from Joel Nouble, Bruce Anderson and Stephen Kelly, while Christian Doidge's second-half effort proved to be nothing more than a consolation for the visitors.

Derek McInnes's side have endured a torrid time away from home so far this campaign, as they come into this tie having yet to win away from home this season.

In fact, Killie's last victory on their travels was their 1-0 triumph over Hearts in the second round of the Scottish Cup back on August 31, courtesy of Innes Cameron's strike.

Worse still, Kilmarnock have scored a measly five goals on their travels, conceding 27 goals in the process, so it is hardly surprising that they have the worst away record in the Scottish Premiership.

However, Killie may possess a slight psychological edge coming into this clash, having defeated Dundee United on February 1, and McInnes will be hoping his side can produce a similar kind of performance this weekend.

Dundee United Scottish Cup form:

W

Dundee United form (all competitions):

L

D

W

L

L

L

Kilmarnock Scottish Cup form:

W

Kilmarnock form (all competitions):

L

L

W

L

W

L

Team News

Ryan Edwards was given his marching orders for Dundee United against Hearts last time out, so he will be suspended for this clash, despite the club lodging an SFA appeal to overturn the red card.

Otherwise, Dundee United have no injury problems to report, meaning Fox has a full-strength squad at his disposal for Saturday's clash.

Liam Smith and Glenn Middleton have featured in every league game for the Tangerines this season, while Steven Fletcher is the club's top scorer with seven goals in all competitions.

Meanwhile, Kilmarnock look set to be without the injured trio of Ben Chrisene, Jeriel Dorsett and Innes Cameron for the foreseeable future.

Danny Armstrong is likely to retain his place in the starting XI for Killie, after recording nine goals in all competitions so far this term, as well as scoring the winner the last time these two sides met.

Christian Doidge managed to get on the scoresheet last time out against Livingston, so he looks set to support Armstrong in attack this weekend.

Dundee United possible starting lineup:

Birighitti; McMann, Mulgrew, Graham; Smith, Djoum, Levitt, Niskanen; Pawlett, Middleton; Fletcher

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:

Walker; Alebiosu, Mayo, Wright, Chambers; Armstrong, Power, Polworth, McKenzie; Doidge, Vassell

We say: Dundee United 1-0 Kilmarnock

Only three points separates these two teams in the Scottish Premiership, which suggests there is not much to split the sides in this cup clash.

Previews by email