Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin wants tunnel vision from his players as they try to squeeze into the top six, with two wins from two the target.

"When you're in this situation you'd always rather it's in your own hands rather than relying on favours," he tells BBC Sportsound.

"The only thing we can focus on ourselves and trying to beat Dundee, there's no point worrying about what's happening at other stadiums.

"Dundee were excellent in the last fixture against Rangers. They'll probably be more offensive against us. They need to win and we're expecting a battle."

St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson expects another tight affair against Livingston today.

He tells BBC Scotland: "It doesn't matter what happens in the game, as long as we're in it and can get a chance to get three points.

"It's massive for us. Can we put pressure on teams round about us and pick up points at home?"

Dundee United head coach Thomas Courts: "We've tried not to get embroiled in week-to-week league positions. We're in firm control of our own destiny, which is a really good position to be in.

"It's knockout football essentially because we're all competing for the same thing. I just keep reminding the players it's exciting and what we play football for.

"We've got a really big crowd [around 2,000 United fans] coming to watch us today and we want to deliver a result for them."

Ross County are unbeaten at home in 2022 and have won their last two in Dingwall. The Staggies last won three on the bounce at home in the Scottish Premiership in April 2015 under Jim McIntyre (a run of five).

Ross County boss Malky Mackay tells BBC Sportsound: "It's great to get back playing again, the pitch is in fantastic condition.

"It bodes well for a great game of football and the stadium will be rocking.

"We're in a reasonably good run of form, but Hearts are a good team and clearly the third-best team in Scotland so it'll be a tough game for us.

"It's great credit to the players we are in this position. We've gone from strength to strength."

Motherwell are winless in their last 11 league games (D5 L6) and have been drifting down the table since selling top scorer Tony Watt to Dundee United in January.

No side has had a longer run without a victory this season, with only today's opponents St Mirren faring as badly in 2021-22 (11 games from October to December).

Hibs trail Dundee United by two points and could really do with a win today, since they have a tough derby assignment at Tynecastle next.

However, there hasn't been a home win in this fixture for a while.

This season, Hibs have won twice at Tannadice, once in the League Cup, while United enjoyed a thumping 3-0 success on their last visit to Easter Road in October.

Last term, Hibs won both league trips to Tannadice as well as a Scottish Cup semi-final, while the one game in Edinburgh was a draw.

United have only lost one of their last 11 top-flight away games at Hibs (W5 D5), a 2-1 defeat in November 2012 under Peter Houston.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Scotland at Dens Park

Every point is a prisoner for Dundee as they battle to try and preserve their top division status.

It is a pretty grim looking situation at the moment, with the Dark Blues currently four points adrift at the bottom – but a win could breathe real life into their fight.

The only problem is they have been few and far between, with the home side heading into their Dons date with just one victory in their last 10 league matches.

Aberdeen’s form has been similarly poor, they have only mustered up one win in their last 11 league games.

But, importantly, it came in their last outing - a comfortable defeat of Hibs - so they should have a spring in their step.

Danny Mullen returns up front for Dundee as the Premiership's bottom club seek the first win of Mark McGhee's reign.

Captain Charlie Adam makes the bench after a four-game injury absence.

Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin goes with the same starting line-up who saw off Hibs 3-1 at Pittodrie last time to end a 10-game winless run.

Midfielder Connor Barron, 19, continues his rise with a seventh consecutive start.

Image source, SNS

Callum Slattery returns to the Motherwell starting XI for the first time since their 2-0 loss to Dundee United in February.

Bevis Mugabi and Dean Cornelius also start for Graham Alexander's side with Juhani Ojala, Jake Carroll and Liam Donnelly all dropping to the bench.

Image source, SNS

Jordan Jones makes an earlier than expected return to the starting line-up for Stephen Robinson's side as the Northern Irish manager prepares to face his former club.

Along with Jones, Ethan Erhahon, Conor McCarthy and goalkeeper Dean Lyness are also in from the start replacing Greg Kiltie, Alex Gogic, Charles Dunne and the suspended Jak Alnwick.

St Johnstone stick with the same XI that secured a priceless 2-1 victory over Motherwell two weeks ago in their battle to avoid the drop.

That means Nadir Ciftci once again starts for Callum Davidson's side as he searches for his first goal for the club since joining in January.

Livingston make just one change from their 2-0 defeat to Hearts.

Birmingham City's on-loan midfielder Odin Bailey drops to the bench, with USA forward Sebastian Soto making his first start for the club after five previous appearances as a substitute.

Image source, SNS

Defender Harry Clarke makes his long-awaited Hibs debut after recovering from a hamstring issue. It looks as though he'll line up alongside Rocky Bushiri and Paul Hanlon in a back three. Ryan Porteous sits out the first of his four-game suspension.

Stalwart Louis Stevenson drops to the bench as Jake Doyle-Hayes returns and Chris Mueller gets a start.

Meanwhile, Marc McNulty keeps his place up top for Dundee United after his dramatic late winner at St Mirren. There's no Calum Butcher, but Kevin McDonald comes in.

Image source, SNS

Hearts boss Robbie Neilson makes two changes to the side that beat Livingston a fortnight ago.

Beni Baningime, who is out until the winter cruciate ligament damage, and Nathaniel Atkinson, who drops out the squad altogether, drop out for Toby Sibbick and Alex Cochrane.

Ross County are without Kayne Ramsay, who was sent off last time out at Celtic - Jake Vokins is in to replace.

The only other County switch sees winger Joseph Hungbo come out the side for Blair Spittal.

Image source, SNS

Talking earlier this week, Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin said he has been busy studying all of the possible outcomes for his side to leap up from 10th to the top six.

His side could well be out of the running if they lose at Dens Park today, a draw would mean they were relying on others.

The good news for Dons fans is they have won 13 of their last 14 league meetings with Dundee. The bad news is the one they lost was their most recent visit to the Dark Blues.

"I know every single outcome that needs to happen," said Goodwin.

“I have been doing all the permutations, but it is outwith our control, that is the frustrating part of it."

Kelty Hearts wrapped up the title last week and just about sobered up to draw at Edinburgh City last night.

Annan and Forfar are battling it out for second place, with Cowdenbeath stranded at the bottom and facing another battle for SPFL survival.

Image source, BBC Sport

Leaders Cove Rangers visit Queen's Park on Sunday, so this is a chance for Airdrieonians to make up ground away to bottom club East Fife.

Ian Murray's side are ticking along nicely on 15 matches unbeaten, but will still be smarting after Cove's late equaliser last time.

Dumbarton occupy the relegation play-off spot and really need to improve on a run of one win in 11 if they are to get out of trouble.

Image source, BBC Sport

There's only one game in the second tier today, with second-placed Abroath looking to close the five-point gap on leaders Kilmarnock.

Partick Thistle have caught up all their games in hand; the problem is they lost them all!

Despite a run of four defeats in a row, the Jags remain in the play-off places.

Killie drew at Morton last night, while Ayr United left it late to share the spoils with Hamilton Accies.

Raith Rovers and Queen of the South meet in the SPFL Trust Trophy final tomorrow.

Image source, BBC Sport

Ross County: Laidlaw, Randall, Iacovitti, Baldwin, Vokins, H Paton, Tillson, Callachan, Spittal, Charles-Cook, White.

Substitutes: Munro, D Samuel, Watson, Drysdale, Hungbo, B Paton, Wright, MacKinnon, MacLeman.

Hearts: Gordon, Sibbick, Halkett, Kingsley, Cochrane, Haring, McEneff, Halliday, Simms, McKay, Boyce.

Substitutes: Stewart, Woodburn, Moore, Ginnelly, Kirk, Tait.

Hibernian: Dabrowksi, Clarke, Bushiri, Hanlon, Cadden, Doyle-Hayes, Newell, Doig, Jasper, Mueller, Melkersen.

Substitutes: Mitchell, Allan, Campbell, Delferriere, Hauge, Henderson, Scott, Stevenson, Wright.

Dundee United: Siegrist, Edwards, Mulgrew, Graham, Smith, McDonald, Levitt, Niskanen, Clark, Watt.

Substitutes: Eriksson, Sporle, Neilson, Freeman, Mochrie, McMann, Moore, MacLeod, Cudjoe-Anim.

Dundee: Lawlor, Kerr, Sweeney, McGhee, Marshall, Byrne, McGowan, Eliott, McMullan, Rudden, Mullen.

Substitutes: Sharp, McDaid, Mulligan, McCowan, Daley-Campbell, Anderson, Adam, Ibsen Rossi, McGinn.

Aberdeen: Lewis, Ramsay, Gallagher, Bates, Hayes, McCrorie, McLennan, Ferguson, Barron, Besuijen, Ramirez.

Substitutes: Woods, MacKenzie, Considine, Watkins, Ojo, Jenks, Polvara, Ruth, Milne.