St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson told BBC Scotland that he doesn't like astro surfaces: "Not in the top flight. I can see the point of them in the lower leagues, it generates money in the community, it keeps people in jobs.

"Once you're in the Premiership, it's just my belief, it should be grass. There's some very good astro pitches, but it's an advantage for people for lots of reasons. I don't think it looks great."

We'll see what he thinks come the end of the game...

Julie Fleeting
Former Scotland striker on BBC Radio Scotland

Kilmarnock struggled to deal with St Mirren's direct approach and physicality in the cup game, until they changed their system.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland at Tannadice

The wind is getting up. Hopefully that won't spoil what could be an intriguing game. Both teams have height, but it's definitely a day for getting the ball down on the ground.

Both are looking to bounce back from their respective defeats from last weekend. Livi were at least fairly pleased with many aspects of their performance against Rangers, for Dundee United they'll want to move on and get back to the form they showed before their loss against Kilmarnock.

And away we go...

Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell tells BBC Scotland: "St Mirren are unchanged too, so that shows you that it's two teams performing well just now. We know from two weeks ago that we're evenly matched.

"We're trying to find consistency in that level of performance, hence there's no changes because we hit some good levels last week.

"We're under no illusions, we're expecting some real bad conditions and we'll have to handle them. It'll be physical, and we've got to get the better of our individual duels."

Image source, SNS

Livingston manager David Martindale tells BBC Sportsound: "It's going to be a difficult game. Dundee United seem to be a club on an upward trajectory.

"They've got two wing-backs who are brilliant on the ball. Great delivery. There's a lot of height in their team. We know what we've got to do to negate that.

"You just try to control the game as much as you can. Control the game and play the weather. It's actually a lot better than I thought. Right now, you can play football, you can get the ball down and play.

"We'll deal with the game in the game and see where it takes us."

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin tells BBC Sportsound: "Last weekend was just an off day [losing to Kilmarnock] as far as we're concerned. We could've played for four hours and not hit the back of the net.

"Davie [Martindale] has got Livingston playing well. They try and build from the back. You're going to have to match the Livingston energy.

"Come out firing, press aggressively at the top end of the pitch, move the ball nice and quickly and hopefully create some better goal-scoring opportunities than we did last weekend.

"We've got an opportunity here today, if results go in our favour and we win, we could be sitting third going into the international break, which would be a fantastic start for us."

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone wide man Josh McPake is the top scorer in the Championship with seven.

That's more than Morton have managed so far and the same as the collective efforts from Queen's Park and Airdrieonians.

McDiarmid Park team-mate Jamie Gullan leads the way for assists with four.

Image source, SNS

Dundee United have been earning plaudits for performances this season but a new-look squad has been a bit up and down, with last weekend's 2-0 home defeat to Kilmarnock most definitely in the latter category.

Only Hearts have scored more goals, but promoted pair Livingston and Falkirk are the only sides to have conceded more and they have both played a game more.

Image source, SNS

Livingston picked up four points from their first two outings but have managed just one from the five games since.

The West Lothian side do have a handy record against United though, winning seven of the past 11 top-flight meetings, with two of those drawn.

Of course, St Mirren were celebrating at Rugby Park just a few weeks ago as they prevailed on penalties to reach the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals after a lively 2-2 draw.

The visitors have not lost in the league since the opening day against Celtic and sit third following wins over Falkirk and Dundee.

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock are yet to win a home league game in three attempts this season (D2 L1), but they do have a very good league record against St Mirren.

Killie are unbeaten in their last 12 top-flight home games with the Paisley side, winning eight of those.

Ian McCall
Former Falkirk & Partick Thistle manager on BBC Sportsound

Hibs and Hearts have got better number nines than Celtic and Rangers for the first time in a very long time.

I know it's just six games, but there's a different feel to it.

Derek McInnes will be targeting second at the very minimum.

A goalless draw seems unlikely in this one.

No side has faced more shots in the league this season than Dundee United (95, level with Dundee), while Livingston have faced the highest expected goals (xG) total of any side in the division. (12.4).

Image source, SNS

The Edinburgh derby doesn't start until 17:45, but the Sportsound team are busy discussing Hearts' credentials as potential title contenders.

Top of the table after six games, Tynecastle boss Derek McInnes dismissed such talk as "stupid" the other day.

The Jambos will need a "minor miracle", according to former Rangers striker Billy Dodds.

Aberdeen great Willie Miller adds: "Do you think Celtic and Rangers will take this lying down?"

Can Hearts maintain the required level of consistency across the season? Let's see those thumbs.

Both sides at Tannadice make one change following defeats last time out.

Nikolaj Moller joins the attack for Dundee United, replacing fellow Swede Amar Fatah. It's Moller's first start for the Tangerines, having come on as a substitute four times.

For Livingston, Connor McLennan takes over from Andy Winter in midfield, making only his second start of the season and his first since mid-July.

Image source, SNS

After wins for Kilmarnock and St Mirren last weekend, both managers are quite content to stick with the same starting line-ups.

Scott Tiffoney is on the bench for the hosts though, and could make his long-awaited league debut after signing in the summer.

As for St Mirren, it's a return to Rugby Park for former Killie man Liam Donnelly, who anchors the Buddies' midfield. He's alongside Killian Phillips, who makes his 50th appearance for the club.

Image source, SNS

We have a full card in the second tier today, with unbeaten leaders St Johnstone at home to Ayr United.

Closest challengers Partick Thistle have won five in a row and host Arbroath, who are falling away after a promising start, while Ross County go in search of a first win against third-placed Raith Rovers.

• Airdrieonians v Greenock Morton
• Dunfermline Athletic v Queen's Park
• Partick Thistle v Arbroath
• Ross County v Raith Rovers
• St Johnstone v Ayr United

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock: Stryjek, Brown, Mayo, Stanger, Deas, Thompson, Polworth, Watson, Kiltie, Dackers, Anderson.

Substitutes: Beach, Williams, McKenzie, Lyons, Magennis, Tiffoney, Schilte-Brown, Brannan, Daniels.

St Mirren: George, King, Gogic, Freckleton, Richardson, Phillips, Donnelly, Idowu, John, Ayunga, Mandron.

Substitutes: Mullen, Tanser, Taylor, Baccus, McMenamin, Dijksteel, Calvin, Mooney, Nlundulu.