Dundee lose possession inside their own half and Gary Mackay-Steven speeds into the home penalty box.

Thomas Konrad appears to pull out of the challenge, but the United winger hits the deck and the referee awards a spot kick and books the defender.

Striker Mario Bilate fires low into the corner of the net, sending Kyle Letheren the wrong way, for his second goal of the season.

Dundee United are given a penalty.

The baw's burst! Not the cry of the Yes campaign but of referee Steven McLean as he has to call for a new bit of leather.

Dundee defender James McPake has to head a Gary Mackay-Steven cross for a corner from under his own crossbar.

The home side were fuming as, in the lead up to that, Ryan Dow handled the ball as fell to the ground before resuming the move once he realised he had not received a foul. It should have been a free-kick to one of the sides.

Former Scotland defender Willie Miller on BBC Radio Scotland

"It has deteriorated after a very promising start. There have been too many long inaccurate passes."

There are more than mere bragging rights at stake at Dens Park.

Dundee can draw level with their neighbours, who lie third in the table, should they win today.

United can draw level with leaders Inverness Caledonian Thistle if they take the three points.

Chris Erskine, who was farmed out to Partick Thistle last season as he could not win a regular place, is making the most of his return to Tannadice and is a threat through the centre, this time sending a piledriver a few feet wide from the edge of the penalty box.

Dundee United have only lost one of their six games this season.

That was a 6-1 humiliation at the hands of champions Celtic in Glasgow, but they have won their other two away games 3-0.

Dundee are unbeaten in their last 10 outings, including the end of last season as they won the Championship title.

They are looking for a double over neighbouring sides after accounting for St Johnstone 1-0 last weekend in Perth.

It is a fast and furious start as you might expect in a Dundee derby. The nerves are obvious - on the park and in the stands.

Dundee immediately race up the other end and it is the United defence's turn to be under pressure. Paul McGinn's low cross is fumbled by goalkeeper Radosław Cierzniak before being hastily cleared.

The Dundee defence is immediately exposed through the middle as a Chris Erskine pass plays Mario Bilate in behind. The striker's shot is tipped superbly over the crossbar by goalkeeper Kyle Letheren, but the offside flag had already gone up.

Dundee kick-off and immediately lump the ball forward. So much for their famed passing football under Paul Hartley!

Dundee United have won on their last three visits to Dens Park and are unbeaten in the last six city derbies. But Paul Hartley will like to think this is a different calibre of Dundee side.

The teams come onto a sun-drenched Dens Park. The stands are packed and the players are given a rousing reception.

While Dundee are unchanged, United are forced into one change - Ryan Dow coming into the side in place of striker Nadir Ciftci, who was sent off last weekend. Will United miss the in-form Turk?

Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara on BBC Radio Scotland

"We know it is going to be tough. We need to match them but feel we have the players that cause them problem.

"I loved playing in derbies myself, but they must not get caught up in the atmosphere.

"It is important we keep calm heads and don't get carried away with the occasion."

Dundee manager Paul Hartley on BBC Radio Scotland

"I am really excited about this. We are building a strong unit and, although it will be frantic, we will just try to play our normal game.

"It is different for the supporters, because they have been looking forward to this for some time.

"But we have just been keeping it calm and keeping the build up the same as normal."

BBC Radio Scotland's Jim Spence

"The atmosphere has been quite electric in the city. Partly because Paul Hartley has built the best Dundee side I can remember for some time." Do you agree with Spencie?

Dundee are the only unbeaten side left in the Scottish Premiership this season and, not surprisingly, manager Paul Hartley names an unchanged side.