Key contests as United host leaders on Friday

Willo Flood v Fraser Fyvie

The battle in the middle of the park is always a fierce one in contests like this — and the one between these two classy competitors will be no different.

Flood is the epitome of dependability in the centre of midfield for the Tangerines, buzzing around, making things happen and breaking up the play on the defensive side.

Fyvie performs a similar role for the Hibees but will have to be right on his game to get the better of a seasoned pro like Flood.

The two missed each other by a year at Aberdeen — Fyvie having left for Wigan before Flood moved up to Pittodrie — and haven’t faced each other since January 2012 after Flood missed the 1-1 draw earlier this season.

Jamie Robson v David Gray

Both these players are set to play at full-back on Friday but both will be tasked with getting forward for their sides and will no doubt come up against each other plenty.

Robson has done well when deputising for the injured Paul Dixon but will be tested by the impressive Gray.

The former-Manchester United trainee is a threat from deep for Hibs and grabbed a goal in their last game against Queens.

There promises to be interesting battles all over the pitch — we’ve not even mentioned Tony Andreu because only he knows which part of the pitch he’ll pop up in next — with two teams similar in quality and a league title and promotion up for grabs it’s certainly all to play for.

Brian Graham celebrates as in the background David Gray wheels away after scoring for Hibs against Queen of the South two weeks ago.