Preview Dundee United

It`s over a decade since United last triumphed at East End Park when Kjell Olofsson (2) and Jim McInally scored for the visitors.

The first match post split brings Craig Levein`s Dundee United back to East End Park. The Pars have the upper hand at East End Park with nine Premierleague wins to United`s five. 

Manager Stephen Kenny arrived on the morning of the last visit of Dundee United. He had intended watching from the Directors Box but with Dunfermline trailing 1-0 at the interval he was moved to get down to the dressing room to give his new team words of wisdom at half time.  Sure enough the Pars came out and scored two goals to win their first SPL game in two months. That means that it`s over a decade since United last triumphed at East End Park. Kjell Olofsson (2) and Jim McInally scored for the visitors, with Harry Curran scoring for the Athletic.

The last dozen league games between the two sides have seen  DA win five and United win three, with five games ending all square.

With five games to go Dunfermline have hit a bit of form with eight points taken from the last 18, almost as good as United who have taken nine by virtue of some great results.  Former Pars favourite Noel Hunt is their top goalscorer but Barry Robson and Greg Cameron have found the net of late as well.

Since the teams last met in January`s 0-0 game United have only been beaten at Inverness and in their last two SPL matches away from home they have scored four goals in games against Hearts and Aberdeen.

Last Time Out

Phil McGuire sits this one out through suspension.

DUNFERMLINE: (Last time out v Hibs): Dorus de Vries; Greg Shields (c), Scott Wilson, Souleymane Bamba, Scott Muirhead; Jim O`Brien, Jamie McCunnie, Phil McGuire (Greg Ross HT), Gary Mason, Adam Hammill (Owen Morrison 81); Jim McIntyre (Mark Burchill 93)
SUBS: Roddy McKenzie (GK), Freddie Daquin.

DUNDEE UNITED: (Last time out v Aberdeen) Derek Stillie; Sean Dillon, Lee Wilkie, David McCracken, Christian Kalvanes, Mark Kerr, Collin Samuel, Morgaro Gomis (Stuart Duff 66), Greg Cameron, Noel Hunt, Jon Daly
SUBS NOT USED: Ewan McLean, Lee Mair, David Gooodwillie, Ross Gardiner, William Easton, Ryan McCord

"We have put a bit of pressure on now picking up points when we had been written us off as being down as the gap was too much but slowly but surely we are closing it.  But there`s a long way to go in the season, there`s no point in winning against Hibs or winning Semi Finals if we are not doing well in the league. We need to go into every game trying to win them all."

Referee will be Alan Freeland. This is his second game in charge at Dunfermline this season and the last time was also against Dundee United. He also officiated that famous 5-0 victory over Dundee in May 2005. Let`s hope he is a lucky mascot!

C`mon Ye Pars!