Match preview

After recording a superb sixth-placed finish in the Scottish Premiership in their first year back in the top flight last campaign, Dundee are enjoying another positive season to date.

The Dee are currently seventh in the top flight standings with 27 points from 23 games, after seven wins, six draws and 10 defeats, leaving them just two points adrift of the top six.

Despite the strong position in the league, Tony Docherty's men have endured multiple periods of difficulty throughout the term, including suffering a spell of just one win in nine matches through August to October, with two draws and six defeats in that time.

The hosts have been largely improved in their subsequent outings, recording five wins, three draws and five losses in their last 13, as well as remaining undefeated in their last three matches heading into this one.

The challenge for Dundee is now to not only defeat their rivals for the first time since a 2-1 win in August 2017, but also to progress past the fourth round of this competition since 2021-22.

Their visitors will be favourites heading into this fourth round tie, with Dundee Utd enjoying a remarkable return to the Scottish Premiership this season, currently sitting third in the table.

Jim Goodwin's men boast 37 points from 23 matches, having won 10, drawn seven and lost just six, meaning the Tangerines are 10 points behind second-placed Rangers and 10 points above their seventh-placed rivals.

Dundee Utd did suffer back-to-back defeats for just the third time this season when they lost to Hearts and Celtic earlier this month, but they snapped that streak with a 1-0 win over St Mirren last time out.

That will certainly boost their spirits heading into this one, while they will also draw confidence from their recent record of four wins and four draws in the last eight Dundee derbies.

Dundee possible starting lineup:

Carson; Astley, Robertson, Donnelly; Mulligan, Sylla, Garza, Ingram; Adewumi, Robertson; Murray

Dundee United possible starting lineup:

Walton; Adegboyega, Gallagher, Holt; Strain, Docherty, Sevelj, Ferry; Stephenson, Middleton; Dalby