Dundee Utd v Hearts: leaders look to tighten grip as hosts chase top-half traction | OneFootball

Dundee Utd face Hearts in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, 31 January 2026 at Tannadice Park, with the leaders aiming to stay clear and the hosts pushing to climb the table.

Dundee Utd and Hearts have already met twice in the league this season. The visitors edged a 3-2 win at Tannadice in August before a 1-1 draw in Edinburgh in November.

United's recent run mixes a draw at Aberdeen, a win at Livingston and defeats to Dundee and Celtic, before a 2-0 Scottish Cup victory against Ayr United. The Jambos put together three straight league wins over Livingston, Dundee and St Mirren, exited the cup on penalties to Falkirk, then drew 2-2 with Celtic.

Key threats look clear. Lawrence Shankland is joint top of the league scorers on 11 goals, with Cláudio Braga on 10 for the Jam Tarts (per the season rankings). For the hosts, Zachary Sapsford has six league goals and Ivan Dolcek five.

Season trends point to a potential aerial battle the visitors could relish. The Jam Tarts have 14 headed goals and 11 clean sheets, built on 52% possession and 77.07% passing accuracy. The Arabs have scored 28 and conceded 34 with three clean sheets, so United may need to be clinical when chances come.

A home win would take United to 28 points and could nudge them towards the top half. Victory would move the Jambos to 54 points and may tighten their hold on first place.