Dundee United are the team to beat in the Scottish Premiership right now.
Jim Goodwin’s side have quietly gone about their business all season and jumped ahead of Aberdeen into third with Sam Dalby’s last-gasp goal giving them a priceless derby victory over Dundee.
It followed another late show against the Dons days earlier and this United side don’t know when they’re beaten.
They’re unbeaten in their last four and have only lost once in 10 and that has allowed them to chip away at the gap while Aberdeen collapsed.
It all adds up to a tough afternoon for Hearts today.
Neil Critchley’s side managed a much-needed win against Motherwell in the week but their fans won’t head up to Tannadice with much hope given the form of both sides.
They will hope the January transfer window can help them cure their ills and so far striker Elton Kabangu and defender Jamie McCart have been brought in.
A five-point gap has been opened up over St Johnstone at the bottom but the Jambos are not out of the woods yet and will hope to move away from the play-off trapdoor too.
Dundee United vs Hearts team news
Dundee United starting XI:
Subs:
Hearts starting XI: Gordon, Forrester, Halkett, Rowles, Penrice, Devlin, Grant, Musa, Spittal, Boyce, Wilson
Subs: Fulton, Oyegoke, Forrest, Boateng, Dhanda, Neilson, Tait, McCart, Vargas