SAME FIXTURE ... DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES

Looking forward to tomorrow's match, Manager Alex Smith expects a tough encounter with already relegated St Johnstone: "Ironically, the game coincides with our penultimate fixture of last year, but circumstances are very different. Not only are the venues reversed, but last year at this time, we were fighting tooth and nail for our league survival and St Johnstone had already been safe for weeks if not months. Fortunately for us, there was a Club within touching distance, which we eventually managed to overtake. This season, St Johnstone have been detached from the rest of the league for weeks, which can have a very demoralising effect. On the other hand, the pressure is now off, and I very much expect them to be a more difficult side than they were a few weeks ago. This means we have to be completely on our toes. In terms of concentration and attitude we will approach the game in the same manner as we did against Dundee. It is crucially important for us to gain all three points tomorrow as league places determine the bonus money paid out by the league, and in this current climate we all know that every pound counts."

The opportunity exists tomorrow to ensure that United finish above city rivals Dundee in the SPL and to keep within touching distance of seventh placed Kilmarnock who are United's final opponents of the season. A win against St Johnstone and defeat for Dundee at Easter Road would ensure that the Tangerines finish higher than the Dens Park side for the first time since the 1998-1999 campaign.

On the injury front, Steven Thompson is doubtful with a calf strain.