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

Dundee United and Dundee will face off on Sunday in the Scottish Premiership, marking what is likely the fourth and final Dundee derby of the season.

The hosts are fifth in the table and battling for a European place, while the visitors are 11th in the standings and fighting for survival.

Match preview

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Dundee United secured their promotion to the Scottish Premiership as they lifted the Scottish Championship title last season, and they are enjoying a sensational first campaign back in the top flight.

The Tangerines are fifth in the standings with 41 points after 29 league fixtures, from 11 wins, eight draws and 10 defeats, leaving them with a five point lead over seventh-placed Hearts.

However, Jim Goodwin's men have hit a stumbling block in recent weeks, winning only two of their past nine league outings - with one draw and six losses - leaving them in danger of falling out of the top six.

Goodwin will be hoping that a victory on Sunday against their rivals will give them the boost needed to ensure their top six finish, while important clashes against fellow contenders Ross County and Hearts could define their season.

Dundee, in contrast, are fighting for their survival in the Scottish Premiership, currently placed 11th in the league table with just 28 points after 29 games, from seven wins, seven draws and 15 defeats.

Tony Docherty will be disappointed with how their campaign has unfolded, as the Dark Blues have dropped from an impressive sixth-placed finish last season.

With just four games remaining before the Scottish Premiership splits in two for the final matches, Dundee will be desperate to pick up points and strengthen their survival hopes.

The Dee trail 10th-placed Kilmarnock by just three points, but difficult matchups with Dundee Utd, Rangers and high-flying Hibernian could shape their campaign, while an important matchup with relegation-contenders St Mirren also awaits them.

Dundee will look to draw confidence from their recent Dundee derby victory, defeating their rivals 1-0 in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup, though they have failed to win against Dundee Utd in the league since May 2016.

Team News

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Dundee Utd will be without both Louis Moult (calf) and Ross Docherty (thigh) due to injuries that the pair will not return from until after the upcoming international break.

Declan Gallagher is also a doubt for the Tangerines after coming off just 26 minutes into the draw with Aberdeen, meaning Emmanuel Adegboyega could start alongside Ross Graham in central defence.

Elsewhere, Sam Dalby is the Scottish Premiership top scorer with 13 goals in 26 matches, including three in his last six, and the striker will lead the line on Sunday.

As for Dundee, Billy Koumetio (unspecified), Clark Robertson (hamstring), Juan Portales (calf), Scott Fraser (groin) and Sebastian Palmer-Houlden (knee) are all ruled out with injury.

Simon Murray is coming into this clash having netted in each of his last three league appearances, and the forward should partner Oluwaseun Adewumi and Lyall Cameron on Sunday.

Dundee United possible starting lineup: Walton; Strain, Adegboyega, Graham, Stephenson; Middleton, Sevelj, Sibbald, Trapanovski; Campbell, Dalby

Dundee possible starting lineup: Carson; McGhee, Shaughnessy, Donnelly, Larkeche; Mulligan, Sylla, Garza; Adewumi, Murray, Cameron

We say: Dundee United 2-1 Dundee

Dundee Utd may be enduring a difficult period heading into this clash, but given they have avoided defeat in all of the last eight league meetings - with four wins and four draws - we expect a home victory on Sunday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.