Jim Goodwin has just two games left to save Dundee United from relegation – and the Kilmarnock showdown is a must-win for the boss.
It’s a do-or-die showdown for United at Tannadice with anything but a win all but sending them to the Championship automatically this term.
If the Tangerines lose to Killie and Ross County win against St Johnstone at Dingwall then United will be mathematically relegated. Should the home side lose on home turf, even a draw for Malky Mackay’s men would give Goodwin’s side a mountain to climb to avoid the drop.
That scenario would leave the Staggies with a three point advantage over United and a superior goal difference going into the final day.
It’s not all doom and gloom for Goodwin with a win over Derek McInnes’ outfit sending them above the Ayrshire side and taking the relegation scrap to the final day.
Dundee United: Newman, McMann, Mulgrew, Graham, Niskanen, Pawlett, Fletcher, Sibbald, McGrath, Harkes, Ayina. Subs: Birighitti, Djoum, Edwards, Middleton, Levitt, Freeman, Fotheringham, Thomson, MacLeod.
Kilmarnock: Walker, Mayo, Taylor, Stokes, Chambers, Armstrong, Lyons, Polworth, McKenzie, Vassell, Doidge. Subs: Hemming, Dorsett, Sanders, Power, Alston, Murray, Jones, Robinson, Cameron.
It’s set to be a nerve-shredding night in the blockbuster fight for Scottish Premiership survival. Follow every kick LIVE as it happens.
21:36Mark Pirie
Goal for St Johnstone!
It may not be over yet as the Perth side level at Dingwall through Ryan McGowan.
21:36Mark Pirie
The fans are flooding out
It’s a party for the Ayrshire visitors but the home support are leaving rapidly.
21:33Mark Pirie
Changes for Killie
McInroy and Robinson come on for Doidge and Lyons.
21:32Mark Pirie
‘You’re going down’
The Kilmarnock fans are letting the Dundee United fans hear it in the stands of Tannadice.
21:31Mark Pirie
Off the post!
Macleod goes close to a consolation and Walker denied Thomson with the follow up.
21:30Mark Pirie
And it gets worse for United
Ross County have taken the lead at Dingwall late in the game! It’s 3-2 and United are going down as it stands.
21:29Key Event
GOAL! Dundee United 0 Kilmarnock 3
A sweeping counter attack is rounded off by sub Innes Cameron!
21:26Mark Pirie
Levitt has a chance!
He sets himself on the edge of the box but the effort is delcted narrowly by the post.
That could be the chance of United were to take anything from this game.
21:25Mark Pirie
Fletcher goes close!
The striker dives to connect with Graham’s cross but he can’t get his shot on target as it’s glanced wide of the post.
21:22Mark Pirie
Where do we stand
A win for Kilmarnock would leave Dundee United on the brink of relegation – but they would not be down yet.
With Ross County locked level with St Johnstone a turnaround on goal difference could see Jim Goodwin’s men survive.
However, they are seven goals worse off than County going into the final day and three points behind.
Killie would not be safe but would hold a three point advantage over County and sit third from bottom.
Derek McInnes’ are seven goals worse off than County – so it would all come down to the final day.
21:20Mark Pirie
Fletcher finds space
But he’s flagged offside as he finally peels away from Taylor.
The Scotland cap has barely had a look-in all night.
21:18Mark Pirie
Changes for Killie
Polworth and Armstrong are replaced, with Sanders and Alston joining the action.
21:17Mark Pirie
Doidge goes close!
Killie react first to a loose ball as McKenzie collects the ball.
He slides the ball to Doidge in space, but the first well over the bar.
21:14Mark Pirie
Fletcher bursts forward
The veteran creates space for himself on the edge of the box.
The fans urge him to shoot, but he looks to find Fotheringham on the overlap.
He can’t find the full back and it’s another chance wasted with time running out for United.
21:12Mark Pirie
Level at Dingwall
It’s not a score that suits either side at Tannadice – as Jordan White levels at Dingwall.
21:12Mark Pirie
Vassell is replaced
Cameron comes on for the goalscorer.
United’s defenders will be glad to see the back of him.
21:11Mark Pirie
Scott McMann comes off
Fotheringham comes on to add to United’s attacking options.
21:11Mark Pirie
Pawlett finds space
The looping bal into the box falls kindly for the forward, but he takea a poor touch.
He can’t get the shot away and Killie skipper Taylor is there again to block.
21:08Mark Pirie
United free kick is clipped in
But it’s beyond the head of Mulgrew on the edge of the box.
Killie clear it once again, and it’s returned into the box by Graham before the ball rolls into Walker’s gloves.
21:05Mark Pirie
Chambers puts the pressure on
Neat footwork allows the midfielder to find space in the box.
He pulls away from McMann before Mulgrew is forced to close the midfielder down.
21:03Mark Pirie
Searching ball to Doidge
But United are quick to head it away.
Polworth collects and Sibbald cuts the Killie midfielder down to give away a free kick..
21:00Mark Pirie
McMann takes on the Killie defence
And the full back gets some joy as he cuts down the left wing.
It’s a neat cut back from the byline but just too short to reach Flecther, and Taylor thunders the ball away.
20:58Mark Pirie
United hold the ball
But the sustained pressure in the attacking third comes to nothing.
McGrath attempts to unlock the visiting defence but is smoothered by Mayo as he attempts to cut inside.
The ball is cleared to Sibbald, but Vassell is back and wins the ball. The United man gives away a sloppy foul and the pressure is off.
20:55Mark Pirie
Another penalty at Dingwall
Dhanda scores from the spot and Ross County have a lifeline.
20:54Mark Pirie
No VAR check
Jim Goodwin and Charlie Mulgrew are raging at the referee as he is not send to the monitor.
20:53Mark Pirie
Handball claim for United
Claims of a handball against Polworth as he looks to clear his lines.
Play is going on, will it be checked?
20:52Mark Pirie
Back at Dingwall
St Johnstone have taken a 2-goal lead with Stevie May finding the net from the penalty spot!
20:51Mark Pirie
The second half gets underway
A big second half is needed from Jim Goodwin’s side.
20:50Mark Pirie
Changes for United
Dylan Levitt and Glenn Middleton are coming on at the break for Harkes and Niskanen.
20:40Mark Pirie
HALF-TIME! Dundee United 0 Kilmarnock 2
As it stands Dundee United are in serious trouble.
20:33Key Event
GOAL! Dundee United 0 Kilmarnock 2
More sloppy defending from United as Doidge slips the ball to Vassell with Newman approaching who taps into the empty net!
20:29Mark Pirie
What a chance!
The free-kick is eventually pinged across the six yard box as Pawlett attempts the overhead kick.
Harkes lets the ball pass him by and Mulgrew can’t make anything of it at the back post.
20:27Mark Pirie
Another free kick to United
McGrath is chopped down on the right wing by Mayo. Can they make something of this chance?
20:24Mark Pirie
So slack from United
Another punt through the middle and it’s more problems for United.
Mulgrew failed to deal with the ball over the top and it bounces to Vassell.
The Killie frontman chases it down and almost catches out Ayina.
20:23Mark Pirie
The corner comes to nothing
Taylor looks to outjump the goalkeeper but it’s calmly collected by Newman.
20:22Mark Pirie
Armstrong causes more problems
A hopeful punt forward from Mayo is chased down by the Killie wide man.
He gets the best of Mulgrew and wins the corner.
20:21Mark Pirie
Another free-kick to United
And it’s another waste.
McGrath’s ball in fails to beat the first man.
You feel if Dundee United are going to get something from this side they have to start making the most of their set-pieces.
As it stands Kilmarnock look comfortable.
20:18Mark Pirie
A series of corners
But United can’t make anything of them.
Ayina’s cross is straight into the gloves of Walker.
20:17Mark Pirie
United pushing now
McGrath takes the ball on the left side of the box and curls the ball towards Fletcher.
Taylor is quick to react and heads the ball out for a corner.
20:16Mark Pirie
What a chance!
A long ball into the box finds the head of Pawlett.
Inside the six-yard box the unmarked midfielder somehow heads straight at Walker.
He’s spared by the offside flag after a horror miss.
20:13Mark Pirie
Vassell on the free-kick
And it’s high and wide.
He won’t be wanting to see that one back.
20:13Mark Pirie
Neat play from the visitors
The ball is cushioned down by Vassell and Polworth lines up a dig from the edge of the box.
He’s chopped down by Harkes before he can pull the trigger and it’s a free-kick.
20:12Mark Pirie
What a goal that could have been!
Vassell takes the ball on the halfway line and volleys it towards Newman’s goal.
The goalkeeper has the sun in his eyes and is backtracking to his goalline, and JUST tips it over the bar.
United look to be on the ropes here. Jim Goodwin will need to have a quick rethink.
20:10Mark Pirie
In the other game…
St Johnstone have taken the lead through Stevie May.
As it stands United would still have a slim chance of escaping the drop on the final day.
20:07Mark Pirie
The free-kick comes to nothing
Lyons puts it in from the right flank but ut’s easily cleared and it remains just 1-0.
20:06Mark Pirie
A dangerous ball again
Chambers deep ball into the box causes panic in the United backline.
Vassell is lurking again at the back post before the ball goes over the goalscorer’s head.
Graham chops down Armstrong as the wide man collects the ball and it’s a free-kick.
20:05Mark Pirie
It’s the story of Dundee United’s season
Poor defending, and they fall behind.
Loick Ayina failed to clear his lines properly and it comes straight back at the home defence.
The ball from McKenzie cannons off of Niskanen and Mulgrew can’t reach it, but it falls to the feet of Vassell who slides the ball into the bottom corner.
As it stands, Dundee United are going down.
20:02Key Event
GOAL! Dundee United 0 Kilmarnock 1
Kyle Vassell scores the opening goal at Tannadice!
19:57Mark Pirie
Head knock
A break in play after a clash of heads between McGrath and Lyons.
The free-kick goes to United as Lyons goes off the pitch to receive treatment.
19:55Mark Pirie
Looking to counter
The hosts take a rare venture forward as the ball finds Jamie McGrath.
However, the United midfielder dithers on the ball and gives the visitors time to close him down.