Dundee United head coach Robbie Neilson has vowed to take the game to Hibernian this afternoon.

He tells BBC Scotland: "We feel this is an opportunity to go and have a go. We've put three forwards on, it'll be very attacking.

"Hibs are coming as favorites as the Premiership team but we're in good form and it's an opportunity to impress the fans and hopefully get through."

Image source, SNS

Steven Whittaker makes his first start for Hibernian since August and manager Jack Ross explains his inclusion.

He tells BBC Scotland: "We've had a wee issue with [Vykintas] Slivka this week, we didn't know if he would be available, so we planned on Steven playing there and he's been really good for me during the break. It gives us a different dynamic on the park.

"It's a really good game to come back to, because it'll be a terrific atmosphere and a tough test.

"This competition hasn't lost any of its magic or its appeal in Scotland. We're in this competition to try and win it."

Image source, SNS

Who will your team face next in the Scottish Cup? We'll find out on Sportscene later on...

Hibs fans won't be the only ones saying 'why didn't we sign him?' about Lawrence Shankland.

There was widespread surprise when Dundee United won the race for the striker last summer since it was assumed he would step up to the Premiership or be tempted by big money in England.

That move has paid off handsomely for the Championship leaders with 24 goals already in the bag for the 24-year-old.

Last season he got 34 for Ayr United and it looks like he's well on the way to besting that tally.

Image source, SNS

Richard Winton
BBC Scotland at Tannadice

Robbie Neilson is able to field a far stronger XI than he anticipated, with the Dundee United head coach concerned during the week that he would be without several attacking players.

Hibs, meanwhile, are lining up with former Scotland full-back Steven Whittaker in a deep-lying midfield role. A bold call by Jack Ross?

These clubs have not met since they were duking it out for Championship title in season 2016-17.

Both games at Tannadice were close contests, with United winning the first game 1-0 thanks to a Tony Andreu penalty and a Cammy Bell save from Martin Boyle's poor spot-kick.

Hibs, who went on to comfortably finish on top - 14 points clear of United in third, gained revenge in the next one, with Jason Cummings grabbing the only goal before getting his marching orders when he picked up a second booking for punching the ball into the net.

Image source, SNS

Jim McInally
Former Dundee United midfielder on BBC Sportsound

Neil McCann
Former Hearts & Rangers winger on BBC Sportsound

Dundee United boss Robbie Neilson can't get too carried away if his side prevail this afternoon because he's got homework due for Monday morning.

He's doing a degree in sports directorship at Manchester Metropolitan University and his next project is to produce a 30-minute video on "coaching the coachee", along with a reflective report.

You can read more about Neilson's studies and what he's learning from rugby and cricket here.

Image source, SNS

The last time these two met in this competition was at the semi-final stage in 2016, with Hibs squeaking through after a penalty shoot-out and going on to end their long, long wait to lift the cup.

The hero that day was Conrad Logan, who was carrying a few extra pounds after going 16 months without a game due to injury.

The big keeper had a debut to remember at Hampden, making a series of good saves and stopping two spot-kicks.

You can read more about the Irishman's remarkable rise from unknown to legend here.

Image source, SNS

Giant killing? Not really. There was only one upset on Saturday, with Premiership Ross County losing out 1-0 at Somerset Park.

Aberdeen could only manage one goal against Dumbarton at Pittodrie, Raith Rovers gave Livingston a scare for a while and St Mirren made hard work of it at home to Broxburn Athletic.

Off the Ball's Stuart Cosgrove has been to Easter Road and Tannadice to find out about the origins of Hibernian and Dundee United.

Manager Jack Ross has steadied the ship at Hibs since replacing Paul Heckingbottom. The Easter Road side have clambered away from the wrong end of the table to sit sixth.

But they are a long way behind Motherwell and Aberdeen, so this tournament looks like their best bet if they are to achieve a European place.

They won the Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle on Boxing Day but followed that with a meek loss away to Livingston, which illustrates a nasty habit of blowing hot and cold.

Image source, SNS

Dundee United's priority is promotion after their relegation from the big boy's league in 2016 and they are well on their way.

Robbie Neilson side have a commanding 17-point lead at the top and are unbeaten in 12 games, winning 11 of those.

So how good are they? Has the standard dropped in the second tier or has Neilson already built a team capable of holding their own in the Premiership?

We'll find out soon.

Image source, SNS

This time last year, Dundee United signed a whole new team but transfer business has been much quieter with only Dillon Powers and Kieran Freeman recruited so far.

Powers, a powerful 28-year-old midfielder from Texas had fans purring with delight after an impressive debut in last weekend's 4-1 win at Partick Thistle.

Hibs have beefed up their midfield too, bringing back Stephane Omeonga for a second loan spell but the little Belgian buzzbomb is not available today.

Image source, SNS

Hibs star Scott Allan is back on familiar ground today. The classy midfielder began his career at Tannadice before moving on to West Brom as a young lad in 2012.

It hasn't really worked out for Allan at any club other than Hibs, which is a surprise given his obvious talent.

The 28-year-old has seven goals already this season.

Image source, SNS

Dundee United make five changes, with Paul McMullan, Peter Pawlett, Jamie Robson, Calum Butcher and Ian Harkes all coming into the side.

Veteran Steven Whittaker makes his first Hibs start since August and it looks like he's been given a midfield anchor role. Ryan Porteous is straight back in after a three-game ban, with veteran Darren McGregor dropping to the bench.

Dundee Utd: Siegrist, Smith, Watson, Connolly, Robson, Powers, Butcher, Harkes, McMullan, Pawlett, Shankland.

Substitutes: Deniz, Sporle, Reynolds, Sow, Glass, King, Appere.

Hibernian: Marciano, Naismith, Porteous, Hanlon, Stevenson, Whittaker, Hallberg, Allan, Boyle, Kamberi, Doidge.

Substitutes: Bogdan, Gray, McGregor, Slivka, Newell, Horgan, Shaw.

The Scottish Cup weekend concludes with a fascinating tie at Tannadice.

Dundee United, absolutely flying at the top of the Championship, take on Hibs - mid-table in the Premiership after a shaky start and just back from the top flight's winter break.

Can the hosts keep their fine run going or will the Edinburgh side demonstrate that there is a gulf between the divisions?

We've got the action covered on TV, radio and online.