Hearts have won five of the last ten matches with Saturday’s opponents, Dundee United. The Tannadice team have been successful twice.
The Men in Maroon have plundered 19 goals with 13 coming the other way.
Positive statistics for the Jambos. Add to that, Dundee United have lost their last two league games without scoring and the Jambos have won their past two away games at Tannadice in the top flight.
However, Derek McInnes is under no illusions that this will be a tough away day.
Jim Goodwin, United’s boss, is determined to ensure that the next fortnight, where the club nicknamed, The Terrors, take on five matches in two competitions, count.
And he has added fresh blood, including a new goalkeeper and a teenage striker, to the squad.
United come into the game fresh as their fixture last weekend at home to St Mirren was postponed because of a waterlocked pitch, but Goodwin stressed that his men have trained hard and they had a game between themselves at the training centre last weekend.
Eying the visit of the William Hill Premiership pace-setters, the Irishman he said: “We know how difficult the challenge is going to be. Obviously, Hearts have had a fantastic season up to now, leading at the top of the table and, undoubtedly, will be favourites in a lot of people’s eyes.
“We know we’re going to have to be at our best, but we have performed well against Hearts. The game early on in the season at Tannadice, we were in a strong position and really disappointed not to win.
“For Hearts to get the late winner themselves from the set play, was frustrating. We could have defended a lot better.”
That game was on August 10 with Findlay’s goal in the 94th minute deciding the issue. Earlier, Shankland had opened the scoring after 19 minutes before Dolcek put the home side 2-1 ahead with goals after 22 minutes and 41 minutes before Findlay levelled after 58 minutes.
The sides then met at Tynecastle on November 9, and the scoreline finished 1-1, Kucherenko after 25 minutes, an own goal, and Stephenson levelling after 45 minutes for United.
Goodwin told the broadcast media briefing that he believes he has the players to hurt Hearts and he added: “This is the start of a really busy schedule for us in terms of games coming up and it could be a season-defining couple of weeks for us. We need to win games going forward.”
The club have been boosted by the signing of 18-year-old striker, Owen Stirton, and acquired 26-year-old goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer from EFL Championship club, Charlton Athletic for an undisclosed fee on a six-month deal.
Fo those who can’t get to Tannadice, the match is live from the CalForth Construction Arena at Tannadice on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Ultra HDR at 8pm.
DETERMINED: Jim Goodwin on the touchline
