Dundee United v Hibs team news and probable line-ups: 3,100 sold-out away support | tie of the Scottish Cup fourth round | Does Jack Ross stick with 4-4-2 diamond?

A preview of Hibs' trip to Dundee to face the Championship leaders

Hibs travel to Tannadice on Sunday to face Championship leaders Dundee United (3pm kick-off) in what is the pick of the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.

Despite the game being moved to a Sunday for television purposes, the Easter Road side will be backed by a sold-out away allocation of 3,100 fans.

Jack Ross couldn't have asked for a tougher fixture outwith rivals from the Ladbrokes Premiership to face on their return to action following the winter break.

Hibs fans will travel to Dundee in numbers. Picture: SNS

United, managed by former Hearts boss Robbie Neilson, are in incredible form, unbeaten in 12, winning 11 of those, as they sit 17 points clear at the top of the Scottish Championship.

Hibs will be hoping for more Scottish Cup success over Neilson, and Jack Ross has been preparing his team ahead of their return in Spain as they look to hit the ground running and try to close the gap to the teams above them in the league.

Hibs team news: This week Stevie Mallan was ruled out for two months following surgery on his knee, while fellow midfielder Josh Vela, albeit out of favour, has also had injury issues. Florian Kamberi sat out the friendly with Willem II last week due to a knock he suffered in the win over Hearts in December but should be fit.

Hibs XI: Marciano; Naismith, Porteous, Hanlon, Stevenson; Hallberg, Slivka, Boyle, Allan; Doidge, Kamberi.

Hibs won the last time they visited Tannadice. Picture: SNS

Dundee United team news: Neilson was hit with the news Nicky Clark is likely to miss the rest of the season after an ankle break. However, he has been boosted by the possible return of midfield quartet Calum Butcher, Ian Harkes, Paul McMullan and Sam Stanton.

Dundee United XI: Siegrist; Smith, Watson, Reynolds, Robson; Harkes, Butcher; McMullan, Appere, Stanton; Shankland.

Key clash: It can only be Lawrence Shankland v Paul Hanlon and Ryan Porteous. The Scotland international has hit 24 goals in 24 games and now faces a team which has allowed the second most shots in the Scottish Premiership. Both Hanlon and Porteous are proactive defenders, looking to step in to make interceptions or win the ball. Shankland will be looking to show he is capable of bettering top-flight defences.

Last meeting: The sides last met in the Scottish Championship in March 2017. A Jason Cummings strike in front of more than 9,000 under the lights at Tannadice on a Friday handed the visitors a 1-0 win. With the victory Neil Lennon's men opened up a nine-point lead at the top and ten points ahead of Dundee United.

Match details: Sunday, 19 February. Tannadice, Dundee. Kick-off 3pm. Hibs have sold out their 3,100 allocation.

Referee: Kevin Clancy (98 yellow cards and 6 red cards in 23 games in all competitions) - This will be his fourth match officiating Hibs this campaign. His most controversial moment came in the draw with Celtic where there was confusion in the build up to the visitor's equaliser at Easter Road. The incident led to Paul Heckingbottom being sent to the stand.

Match odds: Dundee United 15/8 Draw 5/2 Hibs 27/20