Fresh off the back of securing a place in the Scottish FA Cup final, Hearts take a trip to the Tannadice Park to face Dundee United in round 34 of the Premiership on Sunday.

The Terrors, on the other hand, will head into the game seeking to get one over the visitors having failed to win any of the last four meetings between the sides since 2016.

Match preview

Dundee United were the architects of their own downfall two Saturdays ago when they bottled a two-goal lead to settle for a 2-2 draw with city rivals Dundee FC.

After falling two goals behind courtesy of strikes from Nicky Clark and Charlie Mulgrew, Dundee FC upped the ante as Danny Mullen and Charlie Adam scored quick-fire goals to even the tie.

Tam Courts's men have been involved in a share of the spoils in each of their most recent two outings, while they have managed just one win in their last seven outings since February 20.

While they will look to end this dry spell and strengthen their chances of securing a place in Europe, next up is an opposing side who they have failed to defeat in four consecutive encounters, losing three and claiming one draw since a 2-1 victory back in 2016.

Dundee United have picked up 10 wins, 11 draws and lost 12 of their 33 games this season to collect 41 points and sit fourth in the Scottish Premiership table, one point above Ross County just outside the Conference League qualification spot.

Elsewhere, Hearts reached a third Scottish FA Cup final in three years last time out when they claimed a hard-earned 2-1 victory over Hibernian at the Tynecastle Park Stadium.

In a game where Joe Newell received his marching orders, early strikes from Ellis Simms and Stephen Kingsley put the hosts in a commanding position and after Christopher Cadden cut the deficit with a 22nd-minute strike, Robbie Neilson's side held on to see out the win.

This was in keeping with Hearts' run of impressive results in the Premiership, where they are currently on a six-game unbeaten run, picking up four wins and two draws since February's 2-1 loss at St. Johnstone.

The Jam Tarts have now avoided defeat in each of their last eight games in all competitions and this run has been owing to their fine display in front of goal, where they have scored 18 goals in that time, while shipping seven at the opposite end of the pitch.

With 57 points from 33 games, Hearts are currently third in the league standings, 19 points adrift of second-placed Rangers with five games left to play.

Team News

Dundee United will take to the pitch without the services of American midfielder Ian Harkes after the 27-year-old came off with a leg injury 28 minutes into the clash with Celtic on March 14.

Peter Pawlett will also play no part in Sunday's game as the 31-year-old continues his spell on the sidelines after picking up an Achilles tendon injury back in February.

Hearts, meanwhile, remain without the defensive duo of John Souttar and Michael Smith, who are both recuperating from ankle and back injuries respectively.

Another name on the Jam Tarts injury table is Congo DR midfielder Beni Baningime, who is set to sit out his fourth consecutive game after sustaining a knee injury in March's game against Livingston.

Liam Boyce and Barrie McKay both boast 11 goal involvements in the Premiership this season and we expect the duo to lead the attack once again, alongside Everton loanee Simms.

Dundee United possible starting lineup:
Siegrist; Edwards, Mulgrew, Graham; Niskanen, McDonald, Levitt, Smith, Clark; McNulty, Watt

Hearts possible starting lineup:
Gordon; Sibbick, Halkett, Kingsley; Atkinson, Harin, Halliday, Cochrane; Boyce, McKay, Simms

We say: Dundee United 1-2 Hearts

Fresh off the back of reaching the cup final, Hearts head to the Premiership where they are currently one of the most in-form sides in the division. They are unbeaten in four consecutive games against Dundee United and we predict they will keep this run going by claiming a slender victory on Sunday.

Previews by email