Dundee are itching to engage their city rivals tomorrow after a seven-years absence from the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Barry Smith, the Dens Park manager, says motivation is simply not an issue as his side make the short trip down Tannadice Street still smarting from losing their opening match with St Mirren last weekend.

"There's no greater incentive than a Dundee derby," said Smith. "I know from personal experience what they're all about and the boys have been buzzing all week in training. When you've come off the back of a defeat like we did at home to St Mirren last weekend, there's no better fixture in which to try to bounce back.

"Everyone associated with the club knows what's at stake this weekend so I won't need to pick them up whatsoever. I won't really need to say all that much to the players because the occasion will take care of itself. I've got a good bunch of boys and every one of them is desperate to do well."

Smith admits Dundee cannot defend like they did against St Mirren if they are to overcome United on their home patch.

"We all know United have got good players. Nobody here is disputing that fact. They beat us 3-0 not that long ago in a friendly when we saw how good they can be going forward. So that experience of knowing what they're about can help us, although we have to defend better. If we defend like we did against St Mirren then United will punish us. There is less margin for error at this level."

Smith is confident that once Dundee score their first goal of the campaign they will push on. The manager, who signed the highly rated teenage forward Martin Boyle from Montrose this week – he goes straight into the squad – said: "At the other end of the park, we have to try to take whatever chances come our way. I would be more worried if we weren't creating chances but I'm sure the goals will come. We've got strikers who can play at SPL level and like any forwards, they thrive on confidence."

Confidence is not something Peter Houston's United will be short of after dispatching Hibernian 3-0 on the opening day of the season, but they dare not write off their rivals.

United may have been made overwhelming favourites but Houston has told his players they must match Dundee blow for blow.

"We're preparing ourselves for nothing other than a very tough derby match," said Houston. "Make no mistake, we are going up against a team who will give it everything and get stuck in right from the start. So, in turn, we will have to make sure we do exactly the same because derbies can sometimes come down to who wants to win them most on the day. We had Dundee watched last Saturday against St Mirren and they battled very hard even though they lost in the end. We also had them watched down at Kilmarnock the previous week and the reports we got also highlighted how hard they had worked. So we are under no illusions about this game and will be giving Dundee every respect."

Houston is preparing for his first competitive Dundee derby as manager and is acutely aware of the atmosphere which is gripping the city.

"We are obviously really up for it because it's a special occasion. The dressing room is buzzing and we know what it means to the fans to get the right result.

"I've obviously been away on Scotland duty earlier this week but I have heard from the backroom staff that the players have trained magnificently since the Dinamo Moscow defeat last week. As a result, they have all been at it as they all want to be in the team for Sunday's game.

"This is the exactly the kind of occasion we want to see in Scottish football, a full stadium is such a healthy sign. So often a derby can be decided by a bit of luck, perhaps a deflected goal or something like that. So you have to make sure that when you create chances you take them but are mindful of keeping things tight at the back."

Houston has several injury worries to contend with. The talented Gary Mackay-Steven has a knee problem, while Sean Dillon and Johnny Russell are both suffering from groin strains. Defender Gavin Gunning continues to have an issue with his back.

"It's still to early to say about the injured guys but we've just got to prepare as normal for the game," said the manager.