Dundee United v Hibs: Where the game could be won and lost

Which players and positions could be pivotal in tricky Tannadice trip?

Scott Allan holds off Dundee United's Louis Appere during the Scottish Cup replay between the two sides in January

Hibs travel to the City of Discovery on Tuesday evening to take on last season’s second-tier champions Dundee United.

The two sides met in the 2019/20 Scottish Cup fourth round, sharing ten goals across two fixtures.

The Tannadice club earned a replay with a 2-2 draw in the first match, with a Christian Doidge-inspired Hibs running out 4-2 winners in the replay at Easter Road.

Hibs have six points out of six from the first two rounds of Scottish Premiership matches following back-to-back victories over Kilmarnock at home, and Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

The Terrors are also unbeaten, drawing with St Johnstone at home on the opening day of the season before a Mark Reynolds goal earned all three points from an away game at Motherwell.

Here’s where the game could be won and lost…

Top-notch Nisbet

Two games, three goals, and one assist for Kevin Nisbet, who has taken to the Scottish Premiership like a duck to water since his move from Dunfermline Athletic.

Nisbet faced the Tangerines three times on league duty last season, scoring his 18th goal of the campaign in a 2-0 win at East End Park in early March, and as such is well-placed to pick up where he left off on Saturday.

The 24-year-old was challenged to make the step up to the top flight and has done so with great gusto.

He’ll be on a high after his treble against Livingston and you wouldn’t bet against him getting on the scoresheet again in Dundee or, at the very least, making life tough for the Terrors’ defence.

Bolton the Wanderer

Luke Bolton joined Dundee United on a season-long loan from Manchester City in late July, and the versatile right-sided player got 60 minutes against Motherwell after making a 20-minute substitute appearance against St Johnstone on the opening day of the season.

The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at English Championship side Luton Town playing primarily as a right-back, athough he can operate as a right-winger as well. It was his cross that set up Reynolds for the only goal of the game at Fir Park, and he will be looking to continue his good form when Hibs come to visit.

United played a 3-5-2 formation in their first home game of the season, although previous manager Robbie Neilson sent the team out in a 4-2-3-1 shape when Hibs came calling on cup duty in January.

Bolton can operate anywhere up and down the right flank and his versatility could be a big boost for the home side no matter the formation.

Formation, formation, formation

The biggest dilemma for Tannadice boss Micky Mellon is working out how Hibs will line up. Jack Ross sprang something of a surprise when he sent his side out in a traditional 4-4-2 set-up at Livingston, having previously lined up in a 3-4-1-2 against Kilmarnock on the opening day of the season, and gone 4-2-3-1 on the Capital club’s last trip to Almondvale.

Ross opted for a 4-2-3-1 during the last trip to Tannadice but may have another strategic trick up his sleeve come Tuesday evening.

The Hibs head coach has a positive selection dilemma going into this match and the players at his disposal give him the option of playing several different formations.

Few would argue against keeping a winning team but Ross has reshuffled his tactics before to suit opposition and he may tweak things again. It will be interesting to see which tactics he opts for – and who gets the nod in the starting line-up.

Rise of the unseen men

There's a possibility Lawrence Shankland might not make the match, or be fit enough for the bench at best. The onus then will be on Nicky Clark to lead the line for the hosts but he will require ammunition from the wings. Louis Appere scored six goals and registered five assists in 33 games in all competitions last season, including an eye-catching equaliser against Hibs. With all the fanfare surrounding Shankland, the attacker has progressed virtually unseen outwith United’s own supporters.

His versatility could see him deployed on either wing or even as an auxiliary striker alongside Clark depending on Shankland’s fitness.

For the visitors, Alex Gogic was rightly praised by Jack Ross for his performance against Livingston and the Cypriot could be a vital cog in the Hibs machine tonight.

He may not get the plaudits afforded to players who score match-winning goals but his role in Hibs’ 4-1 win in West Lothian shouldn’t be underestimated and he could make a big difference protecting the defence at Tannadice.