Hearts squander a cracking opportunity as Sander Kartum fires over from close range.

It's a lovely cross into the box from James Penrice, who finds Kartum in plenty of space, but he can't get direct the effort on target.

Almost the opener from Will Ferry! The United midfielder leathers the ball from the edge of the box and it flies just wide of the goalkeeper Andy Fisher's right-hand post.

Big early chance.

Another nervy moment for Craig Gordon, who can't get a solid touch on the pass back from his defender and the goalkeeper turns it behind for a Motherwell corner.

It comes to nothing, though, and Hearts use the opportunity to break, forcing opposite number Ellery Balcombe to come out and smother with Elton Kabangu closing in.

Calum Macdonald
BBC Scotland at Fir Park

In a steel town, dreams stay with you reads the banner in the home end as the teams take to the field.

A riff on Big Country's 1983 classic I think.

The home side have responded to the atmosphere around the place and are pressing Hearts all over the pitch.

Very much a long ball game early on in Paisley and none of them are really sticking.

Home striker Jonah Ayunga slices a shot wildly wide from the edge of the penalty box.

Image source, SNS

Home goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe is called into action to snuff out a Hearts cross and holds on comfortably.

But, up the other end, Motherwell win a free-kick that's floated into the box by Andy Halliday, Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon spills the ball but is thankful for defenders around him to clear the danger.

We're off at Fir Park as the players come out the tunnel at Tannadice and in Paisley.

Stay with us for what could be a thrilling battle for that top-six spot in the Premiership - and the goals from elsewhere.

The teams are out early at Fir Park.

With that top-six place at stake, the players are obviously anxious to get going!

St Mirren need to win and hope Hearts fail to beat Motherwell to secure a top-six place for a third year running.

The incentive for County is a leap above Kilmarnock, who are heading to defeat at Celtic Park, into ninth place with at least a draw.

However, Don Cowie's side arrive having lost three games in a row and having failed to beat St Mirren in their latest four meetings, including a 2-1 defeat in Dingwall in December.

Indeed, they have failed to win in eight visits to Paisley since a 3-0 win in 2015 and have not scored in latest six despite drawing twice, including latest visit in November.

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson tells BBC Sportsound: "It's simple, get three points, we're on 40 points for the third season in a row.

"We have to concentrate on getting 40 points. It's still a very, very good season and then what happens will happen.

"We just hope for a little bit of luck today. We need to worry about this game and what we can affect and play without pressure, without fear."

Image source, SNS

If St Johnstone follow Sunday's surprise win over leaders Celtic with another victory, the great escape from relegation could truly be on for Simo Valakari's visitors.

It would move the bottom side to within two points of Dundee before the Dark Blues visit Hibernian tomorrow.

But this Tayside derby is important to United too and a third consecutive win for Jim Goodwin's hosts would move them into fourth above Aberdeen, who host Rangers on Sunday.

United won both meetings between the sides this season, the latest by 2-1 in Perth in December, but Saints this time arrive having only lost once in six outings.

Image source, SNS

It's winner take all - well, almost - at Fir Park.

Hearts arrive in pole position to grab the last remaining place in the top six before the Premiership split.

The visitors need a victory to ensure that top-six finish and make sure they cannot be overtaken by St Mirren, while Well - because of goal difference - must win and hope the Buddies fail to beat Ross County.

Hearts and Well have both lost two in a row, with the hosts also without a win in three, but the odds on someone winning this one are high considering none of their latest 12 meetings have been drawn.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Scotland at Tannadice

The sun is shining at Tannadice, but there is no holiday heads on yet for the team as Jim Goodwin and his players now go seeking a European place.

And, with St Johnstone now within touching distance of those teams above them at the bottom of the table, this should lead to an open encounter.

And the fans are turning out in great numbers with more than 10,000 inside the ground for this game. An indication the good times are back again for United.

Calum Macdonald
BBC Scotland at Fir Park

The pick of the 15:00 kick-offs is here at Fir Park. Both teams have to believe that they'll end the day in the top-six.

Lawrence Shankland misses out once again for Hearts, which caused a bit of surprise in the press box, and I imagine in the away end too, with a sizeable support through from Edinburgh for the game.

There's a healthy home crowd too and they've organised a display for when the teams come out before the game, which will add to the atmosphere in a game where only three points will do for either side.

Bring it on.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin tells BBC Scotland: "I think there's always pressure, there's always something at stake.

"There's a lot on the line for both clubs today. St Johnstone are fighting to avoid relegation and, from our perspective, we want to put a bit of pressure on the two teams tomorrow.

"We're not taking anything for granted here. No doubt we'll be favourites, but I've made it clear to the players St Johnstone are a really good footballing team."

Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer tells BBC Scotland: "It's a home game, we need more strikers, we need more speed at the front.

"The players deserve the game today, it's a big game and they deserve it. They had brilliant training this week and hopefully they reward themselves and their fans.

"Hearts are a very good team, brilliant in possession. It's always difficult to play against them, but hopefully we can also be dangerous in front of goal."