After a frustrating ten-day delay due to a waterlogged pitch, Dundee United and The Spartans finally face off tonight at Tannadice Park for a place in the Scottish FA Cup Quarter-Finals. Kick-off is set for 7:45 pm.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Jim Goodwin’s side. Following a difficult 2025-26 campaign that has seen United slide to eighth in the Premiership—eight points above the drop zone—the Scottish Cup represents their last chance to salvage a season that started with high hopes in the Conference League qualifiers.
The Ultimate Banana Skin?
While Dundee United are the clear favourites on paper, The Spartans arrive in Dundee with nothing to lose and a habit of causing problems for the Tangerines. Douglas Samuel’s men currently sit six points clear at the top of League Two and haven’t forgotten their 1-0 victory over United back in July 2023.
The visitors reached this stage after a gritty penalty shootout win over Inverness CT, and they’ll be looking to star man Mark Stowe, who has 13 league goals this term, to provide the clinical edge needed to topple top-flight opposition.
Team News: Trapanovski a Major Doubt
Dundee United are sweating on the fitness of Kristijan Trapanovski, who picked up a knock during the week. With Isaac Pappoe and Vicko Sevelj already ruled out, Goodwin may turn to Panutche Camara and Nikolaj Moller—the goalscoring heroes from the previous round against Ayr—to lead the line.
For The Spartans, they are expected to field a full-strength side, with former Premiership midfielder Sean Welsh set to play a vital role in anchoring the middle of the park against his former rivals.
🗣️ CUP PREDICTOR: GIANT KILLING OR BUSINESS AS USUAL?
Tannadice is ready, but are you? We want your takes on tonight’s rearranged tie:
- Will The Spartans pull off the shock of the round?
- Is the Scottish Cup the only thing that can save Jim Goodwin’s season?
Give us your score predictions in the comments! 👇
Co-Founder of Fitba Focus and MMA UK. A lifelong Rangers fan and former player, he combines over a decade of sports media experience with a deep-seated passion for the Scottish game. From the Ibrox stands to the lower-league terraces, Frankie is dedicated to providing honest, fan-led analysis of the full Scottish pyramid.
