Dundee United v St Johnstone

Dundee United will be hoping to return to winning ways when entertaining St Johnstone at Tannadice this weekend. The Tangerines have suffered a couple of rapid defeats to Motherwell either side of their tremendous recent win at Rangers. That leaves them still in fourth place in the table and three points clear of nearest challengers Kilmarnock. Scottish Cup semi-finalists St Johnstone are eighth at present but not threatening the top six or with any fears of relegation.

"St Johnstone are never easy opponents. It is a derby match and they have a semi-final coming up so will be looking to get a boost ahead of that," Dundee United manager Peter Houston told BBC Scotland. "They have caused us problems before and their defensive record this season is excellent. I don't know much about their scoring record but we will focus on our own game."

"The performance level's been good, we just need to get the finishing touch on it to get a win," Saints assistant manager Tony Docherty told BBC Scotland. "With the top six outwith our grasp we've got an eye on the semi-final. But these are derbies and great games to be involved in. We're going into game with confidence."

Defender Keith Watson has been ruled out with a calf strain but Garry Kenneth and Scott Severin have both recently returned to action. Experienced stopper Darren Dods remains sidelined.
Dundee United (from): Pernis, Dillon, Dixon, Kenneth, Van der Meulen, Severin, Douglas, Buaben, Gomis, Conway. D. Robertson, S. Robertson, Swanson, Daly, Shala, Russell, Goodwillie, Dow, Hill, Banks

In-form striker will be looking to score for the third successive game.

Goalkeeper Peter Enckelman is a doubt and so is defender Dave MacKay. However, Graham Gartland, Steven Anderson and Collin Samuel return from injury.
St Johnstone (from): Enckelman, Maybury, Grainger, MacDonald, Duberry, MacKay, Craig, Invincibile, Davidson, Millar, Moon, Novikovas, Robertson, May, Taylor, Smith, Anderson, Caddis, Samuel, Gartland

Veteran former Chelsea defender adding stability at the back.

Both sides were beaten in midweek with Dundee United going down 2-1 at Motherwell and St Johnstone suffering a 2-0 home defeat to Rangers the previous evening.

Dundee United - Rangers (H); St Johnstone - Celtic (H)

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