Hearts V Dundee United

I think this sort of apathy stems back to the 1980s when United, despite being phenomenally successful then for a club of their size, had a boringly efficient style that relied primarily upon the solidity of their defence. If you went behind against United in those days you rarely got a result. Jim McLean had them playing like Italian sides in Europe and you only need to look at the success they had both domestically and on the Euro stage to see that it worked.

All of that happened a very long time ago, but the stigma of being boring still sticks to Dundee United for many of us. Perhaps that explains the pitiful crowds that they get these days!

Tomorrow's game is a vital one for both clubs for contrasting reasons. United have had an indifferent start to the season under Craig Brewster and their consistency has been so lacking that it's almost impossible what to predict from them tomorrow. However with them now being joint bottom club along with Dunfermline after Motherwell's 5-0 hammering of Kilmarnock today, it's clear for all to see that they desperately need some points.

Hearts on the other hand, will want to continue their recent good run of results. For many, Thursday night's 0-0 draw in Prague was a disappointment, but the positive spin you can put on it is that despite going out of Europe, they never lost and if you add that to the previous three games, they've now gone four away games in a row without defeat. This is good going by anyone's standards.

The recent record against United is poor and Hearts will be hoping to get fired into them early on to prevent another frustrating 90 minutes at Tynecastle a la the St Mirren game. If they can get an early goal it will make the world of difference.

Three points for Hearts are vital tomorrow. They can't afford to drop yet more home points to lower league opposition......
Hearts Team News:
Takis Fyssas is available again after missing two games with a back injury but Hristos Karipidis is still out with a knee problem.

Neil McCann is doubtful with a pulled muscle and Mauricio Pinilla is suspended after last week's red card at Aberdeen.

Player to watch: Paul Hartley
Hartley is due a big performance and after a few quiet-ish games recently, tomorrow could be the time...
Dundee United Team News:
David McCracken is in the squad after returning to full training this week.

Lee Mair is likely to be on the bench after shaking off a knee problem.

Player to watch: Barry Robson
A fiery little character but he's a good player who can beat a man and put over excellent crosses.