Preview: Dundee United vs. Celtic

Dundee United will head into the Scottish League Cup final with Celtic boosted by their draw with Sunday's opponents last weekend.

The two teams drew 1-1 in a fiery Scottish Cup quarter-final at Tannadice in a game that saw three dismissals, but the result would have helped United believe that they can win at the weekend after their recent poor form in the league.

The Terrors will be without the suspended Nadir Ciftci, meaning that either Henri Anier or Mario Bilate is likely to take his place in the starting lineup.

Jackie McNamara's side have defeated Dundee, Hibernian and Aberdeen to reach the final at Hampden Park.

Celtic head into the encounter after putting together an inconsistent run of results over the past few weeks, but the Scottish Premiership leaders remain on target to complete the treble.

However, manager Ronny Deila will be aware that his team must regain the rhythm built up in a run of eight successive wins at the start of 2015.

Captain Scott Brown's place in the side could be in doubt for disciplinary reasons, while striker John Guidetti is pushing for inclusion.

The 14-time winners of the competition have beaten Hearts, Partick Thistle and Rangers without conceding a goal to reach the final.

Dundee United:

Form in Scottish League Cup: WDW Form in all competitions: WLLDLD

Possible starting lineup: Cierzniak, McGowan, Dillon, Fojut, Dixon, Paton, Butcher, Rankin, Dow, Ciftci, Connolly

Celtic:

Form in Scottish League Cup: WWW Form in all competitions: DWLWLD

Possible starting lineup: Gordon, Ambrose Emuobo, Denayer, Van Dijk, Izaguirre, Brown, Bitton, Forrest, Johansen, Guidetti, Griffiths

Sports Mole says: 1-3