Two teams aiming for a top six finish in the Scottish Premiership will come together on Sunday as Hearts host Dundee United at Tynecastle Park.
The hosts are sixth in the table with a narrow one point lead over seventh, while the visitors require just one point to confirm their top six status.
Match preview
© Imago
Hearts had established themselves as the 'best of the rest' in the Scottish Premiership over the past seasons, placing third in both 2021-22 and 2023-24 and fourth in 2022-23.
However, a challenging 2024-25 campaign has left the Jambos battling to secure a top-six finish altogether, as they sit just one point ahead of seventh-placed St Mirren and eighth-placed Motherwell with two games remaining in the regular season.
A miserable start to the term saw Hearts fail to win any of their opening 10 fixtures across all competitions - as well as their first eight league matches - a run that included the dismissal of Steven Naismith.
Neil Critchley was eventually appointed as the new permanent boss, after Liam Fox briefly took charge on an interim basis, and the former Blackpool boss has led Hearts to a significant turnaround in form.
Critchley took charge with the Jambos placed bottom in the Scottish Premiership, but 23 league games later and Hearts are now sitting sixth in the standings with 39 points from 31 games - after 11 wins, six draws and 14 losses.
Hearts now face critical matches against fellow top six challengers Dundee Utd and Motherwell, where victories are likely needed to ensure their top-six status, before facing Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-finals.
Both matches will undoubtedly be difficult for Hearts, but the Jambos must make a strong start on Sunday if they are to secure their spot in the top half of the table.
However, the visitors will also be fighting for much-needed points, as Dundee Utd require one point from their final two Scottish Premiership fixtures to secure their top half placement.
Jim Goodwin's side, who were promoted from the Championship last season, are placed fifth in the table with 44 points from 31 games - after 12 wins, eight draws and 11 defeats - leaving them six points ahead of seventh and eighth-placed St Mirren and Motherwell.
While they are in a supremely strong position with only six points remaining to play for before the Scottish Premiership divides in two, Goodwin will be aware that his side can show no signs of complacency if they are to ensure their top-six status.
Dundee Utd are coming into this match on the back of a disappointing run of results, having secured only two wins in their last nine games across all competitions, while they have only beaten Hearts once in their last 10 meetings.
Team News
![Jim Goodwin (Manager) of Dundee United during the 2024/25 Pre Season Friendly match between Dundee United and Luton Town at CalForth Construction Arena, Tannadice Park, Scotland on 26 July 2024 [on August 2, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/31/jim-goodwin.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Jim Goodwin (Manager) of Dundee United during the 2024/25 Pre Season Friendly match between Dundee United and Luton Town at CalForth Construction Arena, Tannadice Park, Scotland on 26 July 2024 [on August 2, 2024]")
© Imago
Frankie Kent and Stephen Kingsley are both ruled out until later this month due to ongoing injury issues, while Gerald Taylor is also a doubt having failed to appear for the club since the beginning of March.
Despite suffering a miserable 3-0 loss to Celtic last time out, Critchley may decide to name a similar team after winning four of their last six fixtures across all competitions.
Elton Kabangu and James Wilson have struck a positive partnership in attack, with Lawrence Shankland playing just behind the duo, and all three are likely to start in this one.
Declan Gallagher is expected to be the only absentee through injury for the visitors, meaning Ryan Strain, Vicko Sevelj, Ross Graham and Will Ferry should continue in defence.
Top scorer Sam Dalby should also keep his place in attack, while a similar midfield that started in the 1-0 victory over Ross County last time out is likely to feature.
Hearts possible starting lineup:
Gordon; Steinwender, Neilson, Milne; Forrester, Devlin, Baningime, Penrice; Shankland; Wilson, Kabangu
Dundee United possible starting lineup:
Walton; Strain, Sevelj, Graham, Ferry; Middleton, Sibbald, Docherty, Stephenson, Trapanovski; Dalby
We say: Hearts 2-1 Dundee United
Goodwin's men have virtually confirmed their place in the top six, meaning signs of complacency could creep through in this match against a Hearts side that are desperately fighting to finish in the top half.
The Jambos have also lost just two of their past 11 home games across all competitions, and we expect that strength to help lead them to victory in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
