With the Old Firm playing on Sunday and second-placed Kilmarnock in action on New Year's Day, Saturday's three games will not affect the title race.

As well as the relegation clash at Dundee, bottom-placed Dunfermline are at home to struggling Hearts and St Johnstone play host to Aberdeen in mid-table.

Dundee v Dundee United

The Tayside game should offer a marked indication as to the destiny of both the city rivals after the winter break.

United are ninth in the table, four points adrift of their local rivals directly above them.

And after an ill-deserved last minute winner denied them a point against Rangers in midweek, they desperately need a win against local rivals enjoying a resurgence in form.

Dundee won 2-1 at Hearts in the week to increase the pressure on the Edinburgh club and their neighbours.

But United manager Paul Sturrock has warned his players there will be no excuses for self-pity.

"I don't want any of my players feeling sorry for themselves after what happened late on at Tannadice," he said.

"We have no time for self-pity with the predicament we are in and are struggling in the table because of our own poor displays.

"This game with Dundee is important in the context of where we are in the table, but I also feel we owe a result to our supporters."

Striker Alex Mathie is expected to be passed fit following a groin problem which that flared up during Wednesday night's home defeat.

Dundee manager Jocky Scott knows the significance of the occasion and wants to preserve an unbeaten record against United this season.

"This is a real chance to stretch our advantage over United," he said.

"We lost badly to Celtic 3-0 when last at Dens Park, so we must improve on that. There certainly can be no shortage of incentive to build on Wednesday night."

Iain Anderson, James Grady and Willie Falconer all suffered knocks in Edinburgh and Scott has hinted he may make changes after a heavy recent schedule.

Dunfermline v Hearts

Out-of-form Hearts travel to Dunfermline after their defeat against Scott's team left them in seventh.

But Tynecastle manager Jim Jefferies insists: "Everything can change for us if we can put a run of results together."

He must do without central defender suspended David Weir following his red card in Wednesday's defeat, and Stephane Adam and Colin Cameron continue with their long-term absences.

It goes without saying that basement club Dunfermline are also in desperate need of points, but they also have a defender suspended, Marc Millar.

Brazilian Edinho is pushing for a recall from the bench in place of Gerry Britton.

St Johnstone v Aberdeen

Fourth-placed St Johnstone entertain improving Aberdeen at McDiarmid Park with home manager Sandy Clark allowing no room for sentiment against old pal Paul Hegarty.

Pittodrie caretaker Hegarty has guided the Dons to 10 points in their past four games as he attempts to convince the board he is the right choice to succeed Alex Miller.

Clark said: "I'm delighted for Paul because he's a lovely guy who has worked hard in the game and has got off to a great start at Aberdeen.

"But hopefully we'll wipe the smile off his face tomorrow. We had a few tussles as players way back, and I usually won those too."

He will be without Northern Ireland striker George O'Boyle who underwent surgery earlier this week on a groin muscle problem, while midfielder Paul Kane needs a late fitness check.

Hegarty faces a tough selection decision as to whether to retain Derek Stilie in goal or restore Jim Leighton to first choice after a recent bout of flu.