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

Dundee United and Hearts are set to face off at Tannadice Park on Sunday afternoon on matchday two of the 2025-26 Scottish Premiership season.

The hosts had to settle for a 2-2 draw with Falkirk in their opening league fixture, while the visitors defeated Aberdeen 2-0 in their first match.

Match preview

Dundee United enjoyed a fantastic first campaign back in the Scottish Premiership in 2024-25, recording a fourth-placed finish and securing their place in the qualifiers for the Conference League.

While Jim Goodwin's side had a difficult pre-season, with one win, three draws and one loss, Dundee Utd have started the campaign in much stronger fashion.

The Tangerines got their campaign underway with back-to-back 1-0 victories over UNA Strassen in the second qualifying round of the Conference League, followed by consecutive 2-2 draws in the Scottish Premiership and first leg of their third qualifying round tie.

Dundee Utd were twice drawn back level in their opening league match against Falkirk, while they twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Rapid Vienna - giving them the advantage headed into the second leg at their home ground.

Hoping to maintain their unbeaten momentum going into that second leg meeting, Dundee Utd will be looking to secure all three points over Hearts on Sunday.

Hearts, however, are the favourites heading into Sunday's encounter, as the Jambos are enjoying a sensational 11-game winning run in the build-up to the encounter.

Hearts won all of their last four post-split league fixtures at the end of last season under interim boss Liam Fox, while they have started their time under new manager Derek McInnes with seven wins from seven - including scoring 24 and conceding only two.

The Jambos will now be hoping to maintain their momentum and secure another three points on Sunday afternoon, and with three wins and two draws in their last five visits to Tannadice Park, the visitors will be confident.

Dundee United Scottish Premiership form:

Dundee United form (all competitions):

Hearts Scottish Premiership form:

Hearts form (all competitions):

Team News

Dundee United are expected to remain without the availability of Ross Graham, with the defender still recovering from a hamstring injury, while Isaac Pappoe is also not likely to feature after coming off in the 18th-minute of their 2-2 draw with Rapid Vienna.

New signing Zac Sapsford has scored two and assisted two in his first four appearances for the club, and the striker should start alongside Max Watters on Sunday.

As for Hearts, Beni Baningime and Calem Nieuwenhof are not expected to play due to ongoing injury problems, while the rest of the side should be available for selection.

Lawrence Shankland has looked back to his best after a disappointing last campaign, already scoring three goals in four appearances, and the Jambos talisman should start alongside Claudio Braga in attack.

Elsewhere, the remainder of the team that defeated Aberdeen 2-0 in the opening Scottish Premiership fixture should also keep their starting places.

Dundee United possible starting lineup:

Kucherenko; Iovu, Esselink, Keresztes; Sevelj, Camara, Sibbald, Dolcek, Ferry; Sapsford, Watters

Hearts possible starting lineup:

Clark; Kent, Halkett, Findlay; Borchgrevink, McEntee, Devlin, Spittal, Milne; Shankland, Braga

We say: Dundee United 0-2 Hearts

Dundee Utd may have had a strong start to the season, but Hearts are in sensational form heading into this match, and with an impressive recent record at Tannadice Park, we expect the visitors to secure the three points.

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