Craig Levein
Former Dundee United manager on BBC Sportsound

Image source, SNS

Cammy Bell
Former Kilmarnock goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

Big chance for Kilmarnock as referee Kevin Clancy points to the penalty spot.

Ryan Edwards' clumsy clearance header lands straight to the feet of Kyle Lafferty lurking on the edge of the penalty box.

The striker's low drive is blocked by the body of Liam Smith and Clancy rules it comes off the defender's arm.

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First chance falls United's way as Jamie McGrath curls in a free-kick to the back post.

Scott McMann rises between a couple of Kilmarnock bodies, but the United defender can only head high over the crossbar from eight yards.

United get the game under way.

One of these sides is 90 minutes or so away from ending a long wait to reach a League Cup semi-final.

Craig Levein
Former Dundee United manager on BBC Sportsound

Cammy Bell
Former Kilmarnock goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

There's plenty of talent on show at Rugby Park.

But who will prevail? Thumbs up for Kilmarnock, thumbs down for United.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Remember there are some big games in the lower leagues this evening, in particular in Inverness, where Caledonian Thistle can go three points clear of Partick Thistle at the top of the Championship should they beat bottom side Hamilton Academical.

Meanwhile, League 1 leaders Dunfermline Athletic visit troubled Clyde, who have lost eight games in a row.

Third-top Falkirk host fifth-placed Alloa Athletic in a local derby.

The two sides last met in the League Cup way back in 1975, when a double from a certain future Scotland striker, Andy Gray, gave United a 2-0 win at Tannadice in the group stage.

Lesser remembered forward Ian Fallis scored the only goal of the game as Kilmarnock won the reverse fixture.

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Cammy Bell
Former Kilmarnock goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes tells BBC Sportsound: “We’re delighted to have this opportunity and be at home.

“United have obvious threats and Liam has got a tune out of them in the last couple of games - they've picked up some big points and big results.

“It’s a quarter-final at home, under the lights, with a chance to get to Hampden.

“It’s a real chance tonight - I don’t want my players to have any regrets. We’ve tried to play cup football in our league games and it’s been better the last few games."

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United threw away victory the last time they faced Kilmarnock under previous head coach Jack Ross.

Leading through Dylan Levitt's opener just before the break, they had fellow Ian Harkes sent off with 18 minutes left before Ash Taylor equalised in stoppage time.

There was also late drama when they last met in a cup competition.

Marc McNulty gave United the lead in the Scottish Cup fourth round at Rugby Park in January, but Rory McKenzie equalised for the side heading for the Championship title on for Levitt to grab the winner in extra time.

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Dundee United head coach Liam Fox tells BBC Sportsound he thinks Arnaud Djoum is ready for his first start.

“He’s been with us for a period of time now and he’s ready to go," he says. "He's a top player, he’ll set standards and he’s physical too.

"We’ve had a couple of good performances now that have led to results and that always brings a level of calmness to the supporters, that’s important. We needed the points too, which is important.

"We’ll keep building and keep looking to build belief.

"These opportunities don't come around often, so we need to get on the front foot. Killie are on the up and have a top manager too."

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Former Heart of Midlothian midfielder Arnaud Djoum makes his first start for United as head coach Liam Fox makes just one change from Saturday's draw with Ross County.

The 33-year-old, previously with Apollon Limassol, was a substitute in that game after signing last week and replaces Craig Sibbald, who drops to the bench.

It means that striker Steven Fletcher continues on the bench, where there is no place for fellow veteran former Scotland international Charlie Mulgrew, despite the defender also having recovered from injury.

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Kilmarnock's Blair Alston was a doubt after picking up a groin injury against St Mirren and the midfielder drops out of the squad in a rejigged formation in which Christian Doidge comes into Derek McInnes' side.

The striker actually played for Hibs earlier in the competition, but the rules are now that you can play for another club if you switch after the group stage.

McInnes also drafts on-loan Rangers defender Lewis Mayo into his side as Ash Taylor drops to the bench.

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Kilmarnock have not been in the semi-final of a national cup competition since 2012, when they beat local rivals Ayr United 1-0 before going on to defeat Celtic in the League Cup final and lift the trophy for the first and only time.

United have lifted the League Cup twice, retaining the trophy in 1980, but have had a barren spell in the competition since those glory years.

Although United reached the Scottish Cup semi-final in May 2021, losing to Hibernian, they are looking to reach a League Cup semi-final for the first time in seven years.

The Terrors, who lost 3-1 at home to Hibs at this stage last season, reached the last four in 2015, when they went on to lose to Celtic in the final.

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You would normally be suggesting that two sides sitting tied on points at the bottom of the league table would be viewing a midweek cup meeting as a bit of relief from the pressures of the Premiership.

However, both come into this game having enjoyed a bit of a revival in form.

Both are unbeaten in three outings after Saturday draws away from home - Kilmarnock finishing goalless with in-form St Mirren and United 1-1 score with Ross County to leave the Dingwall side bottom on goal difference.

It's all set up for a tight encounter at Rugby Park.