Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin tells BBC Scotland: "Today’s going to be a difficult game. Neil McCann’s done a really good job and they’re a team that’s scoring a lot of goals so we know we’re going to have to be defensively solid at time.

"From our perspective we’re on a decent run of form and we just need to try and build on that and get a bit of momentum. Yes, we’ve given ourselves a bit of a mountain to climb in terms of closing the gap on Falkirk.

"All we can do is win our game today and hope results elsewhere go in our favour. We’ve still got a couple of games in hand on Falkirk as well so it’s about trying to apply the pressure to them and the teams above us.

"And of course the teams below us aren’t giving up the fight either."

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Dundee manager Steven Pressley tells BBC Scotland: "We know our record here - we haven't won in nearly 23 years [in the league].

"That's the challenge that faces us, but one we're looking forward to and believe we can overcome.

"It would be terrific to get close to a club like Aberdeen [in the table] but first and foremost we have to take care of our own performance.

"I've gone with a similar team, Brad Halliday hasn't quite made it, there's continuity about us as well which is an important factor.

Aberdeen interim manager Peter Leven tells BBC Scotland: "We've got loads of games coming up, so we're maximising the squad and using everybody.

"We need to follow it up with another win. Our home form the last three games has been very good so we need to keep attacking the home form and get another good win."

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes tells BBC Scotland: "I'm really proud of what the players have brought, but it's the final part that everyone will remember.

"We just want to concentrate on our performance. Motivation is high, the fans have their part to play and we don't expect this to be straightforward today.

"Craig [Gordon] hasn't trained all week. He reported a shoulder injury - the other one from pre-season - so we knew he was at risk. It hasn't gotten any better. I'm not sure how quick that will settle.

"Beni [Baningime] hurt himself in training yesterday, an innocuous one. Lost his footing and jarred his knee. We gave him 24 hours but he's failed a fitness test this morning. Physios don't think it's anything too bad."

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Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann tells BBC Scotland: "I think we are in a good place mentally. We were so disappointed to take nothing from the game on Sunday but later on when you get time to reflect you can see there was a lot of good to take from the game.

"We've been playing a very attractive style of football and this game today provides an opportunity to get a big three points.

"The pitch isn't perfect but it’s not two long-ball types of teams. We'll endeavour to try and get it on the floor and create opportunities but it's not going to be brilliant at times and we’ll try to deal with that.

"But we're certainly not going to resort to route one football. That’s not who we want to be and we’ve been getting results with the ball on the floor so we’ll try and do that again today."

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Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Tannadice

The home side need to start picking up points if they are to mount a challenge for the top six. Games in hand are one thing but the gap to Falkirk needs reduced. Today is a good opportunity to continue their recent winning run.

It would be also be handy to put more distance between them and Kilmarnock who can draw level with St Mirren above them with a win ahead of their game with Motherwell.

A lot at stake for both.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland at Tynecastle

Looks like an injury for Hearts midfielder Ageu in the warm up. Blair Spittal seems the likely replacement.

Falkirk have won more league games on the road (six) than at home (five) in an impressive return to the top flight.

That's the same number of away wins as Rangers, with Celtic on just one more.

They have alternated between defeat (three) and victory (three) in their past six away days, beating Livingston 2-1 most recently, which might perk up any nervous Hearts fans.

Hearts are chasing a first Scottish league title since 1960, more than a decade before head coach Derek McInnes was born.

Given the wait, there are sure to be a few jitters around Tynecastle.

"It’s really important to handle the pressure and I think we are in a good way and we know what we have to do," said winger Alexandros Kyziridis yesterday.

"Every time we had a defeat, after we reacted pretty well. That’s why I’m confident and I believe that everything will be fine. There are 11 more games and we want to win as many as we can."

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After winning three in a row to rocket away from trouble, Dundee are sliding back towards danger.

Two draws and three defeats leave them four points in front of Kilmarnock, who occupy 11th place.

Steven Pressley's side have failed to score in each of their last three away league games, last going four without a goal on the road in the top flight in December 2004.

Since the start of last season, Aberdeen have won all five of their league meetings with Dundee.

It was May 2004 when the Dark Blues last celebrated a league triumph at Pittodrie. Since then, the Dons have won 12, with five draws.

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Aberdeen will be hoping to build some momentum after Wednesday's Scottish Cup win over Motherwell, but they can't rely on the opposition picking up two red cards again.

Having also beaten Raith Rovers in the cup and thrashed Livingston, the Dons are looking for a fourth successive home victory.

After going four months without a victory, Kilmarnock have won two of their past four league outings and gave Celtic a real fright last time, although they surrendered a 2-0 lead to finish empty-handed.

They certainly enjoy a good recent record against Dundee United, unbeaten in nine meetings in all competitions.

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Since beating Celtic in mid-December, United have gone three league games without a win at home, losing their last two, although they have knocked Ayr United and Spartans out of the Scottish Cup at Tannadice.

After their 3-2 win at Falkirk, they are looking to pick up back-to-back league victories for the first time this season.

Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen captain on BBC Sportsound

This is a huge opportunity for Hearts. Next season, Hearts might be better. Will Celtic and Rangers? They need to be.

I don't see any reason why Hearts can't win the league and I sincerely hope they do it.

It's about how they deal with the situation. You need strong characters at this stage of the season.

I think they've got the perfect manager - have they got the players to see it out?

Falkirk fell to a 3-0 defeat on their last league visit to Tynecastle but they caused a Scottish Cup upset in Gorgie last month, progressing on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

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Hearts remain the only unbeaten side at home in the Scottish Premiership this season, winning nine and drawing four.

Tynecastle should be rocking today as the hosts look to bounce back from last weekend's 4-2 defeat away to Rangers.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Scotland at Pittodrie

If history is anything to go by, there are two things that seem likely.

It won't be a goal fest - Aberdeen have failed to find the net in six of their past seven Premiership games, while Dundee are the joint lowest scorers in the division with 21 goals in their 26 games.

All signs point to a home win, given that 22 years have passed since the Dark Blues last returned from Pittodrie with a victory.

Okay, what has happened in the past won't determine what will happen today, but they are interesting pointers.

Aberdeen will be hoping their Scottish Cup win over Motherwell can spark life into their seemingly slim top six hopes.

Dundee are without a win in five Premiership games, a sequence which doesn't reflect improving performances. They would happily take a bad performance and three points.

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Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland at Tynecastle

It’s ‘Big Hearts’ charity day at Tynecastle and it’s a big Hearts performance that will be required to maintain their quest for their first top flight in title since 1960.

Derek McInnes knows we are fast approaching the business end of the season, with every point so important.

Falkirk know they can make things difficult for Hearts having knocked them out of the Scottish Cup a few weeks ago and, with the visitors still within touching distance of both Hibs and Motherwell, they will be looking for a statement win to maintain hopes of a European spot.

Another sold out Tynecastle should mean a terrific atmosphere for all inside the stadium.

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Aberdeen make three changes from the midweek win over Motherwell in the Scottish Cup.

Graeme Shinnie serves the final game of his suspension, while Jack Milne and Nicolas Milanovic drop to the bench.

In come Liam Morrison, Afeez Aremu, and Toyosi Olusanya. Dennis Geiger is free to start - his ban only applies to the Scottish Cup.

The only change for Dundee from last week's draw with Livingston is at left-back.

Drey Wright switches to the right side of the defence and Imari Samuels comes in on the other side.

Brad Halliday drops out.