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

Dundee United and Hibernian clash at Hampden Park in Glasgow this weekend, as they look to claim a spot in the Scottish Cup final.

Hibs last won the trophy in 2016, while the Terrors reached the final in 2014 after beating Rangers in the semi-final, though they went on to lose to St Johnstone in the final.

Match preview

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Dundee United boss Micky Mellon has called for calm and composure from his players, urging them to "stay in the moment" and not start contemplating victory too soon on Saturday.

With neither of the Old Firm left in the Cup, there is a real chance for the Arabs to reach a final and recapture some of the glory of the early 1980s.

United reached this stage of the competition by beating their old rivals from those golden days in the shape of Aberdeen.

The Terrors dispatched their East coast rivals 3-0 at Pittodrie, but followed that victory up with a disappointing 2-0 league defeat away at Ross County.

They sit third in the Scottish Premiership's lower tier right now, just behind St Mirren, and their focus is now largely on the Cup.

United's recent league form has not been good, despite their cup run, and they have lost to Kilmarnock as well as Ross County since the Premiership split.

Mellon has enjoyed success in England in playoff games when he was with Tranmere Rovers and Fleetwood Town, and United fans will hope that he can use that experience to good effect on Saturday.

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Hibernian manager Jack Ross has urged his players to make history and become "part of the fabric of the club" with a victory on Saturday.

Hibs have lost two semi-finals in the last six months and the former St Mirren manager has asserted that his team are ready and willing to banish that pain with a win on Saturday in Glasgow.

The Leith outfit reached this stage of the Scottish Cup by beating Motherwell on penalties at Easter Road in an epic game that saw three goals scored in the last 10 minutes of normal time.

Hibs defender Alex Gogic also received a red card just before the penalty shootout, adding yet more drama to the occasion.

Ross's side followed that emotionally exhausting triumph up with a disappointing 1-0 league defeat at home to St Johnstone, so they will want to return to winning ways on Saturday.

Ross looks set to take his team into Europe one way or another next season, and has expressed a desire to face Spanish opposition at some stage.

Heading into Europe on the back of some silverware would surely make that experience even sweeter for Ross and his players.

Team News

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Dundee United will be without goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist, who is out for the rest of the season after damaging his wrist.

Declan Glass is also missing, as he has been since undergoing knee surgery back in October, while Dillon Powers is doubtful as he suffered a head injury recently.

One player hoping to make a big impact on Saturday will be United striker Lawrence Shankland, about whose ability to score at the highest level there are still doubts.

Former Arabs striker Craig Brewster, who scored a winning goal in a Scottish Cup final for United in 1994 against Rangers, has highlighted this weekend's semi-final as a real chance for Shankland to banish some of those doubts with a goal or two on the big stage.

Hibs striker Kevin Nisbet is expected to be fit for Saturday's semi-final after missing last week's game against St Johnstone.

Alex Gogic is suspended after being dismissed for a second yellow card in the semi-final victory over Motherwell.

Defender or midfielder Chris Cadden is out for the rest of the season with a fractured bone in his spine, but Ross's team should still have a very familiar look to it on Saturday.

Goalkeeper Matt Macey has received a boost ahead of the semi-final by inking a new contract that looks set to keep him at Easter Road until 2023.

Dundee United possible starting lineup:
Mehmet; Smith, Edwards, Reynolds, Robson; Fuchs, Butcher, Harkes; McNulty, Shankland, Clark

Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Macey; McGinn, Porteous, Hanlon; Boyle, Hallberg, Newell, Doig; Irvine; Nisbet, Doidge

We say: Dundee United 0-1 Hibernian

This looks like being something of an epic at Hampden on Saturday, with both teams keen to capture some silverware and make their mark on what has been a strange season in so many ways.

Hibernian look like being the team to take the spoils and reach the final, though it could be close and might require penalties, but a 1-0 victory would certainly suit Jack Ross and his team.