Both teams were beaten 4-0 by the title-chasing Glasgow giants and meet at Tannadice this weekend to resume their battle for fourth place.
Houston, whose team lost to Rangers, reckons both squads will already be over the experience of losing heavily and will be primed to do battle on Saturday.
Killie have surprised everyone with their form this season and were involved in a thrilling 2-2 draw with United earlier in the season. Houston described that game as the best he has seen this year and expects this weekend's encounter to be equally entertaining.
He said: "The games against Killie this season have been crackers. The one at Tannadice earlier in the season was one of the best games I have been involved in. I think Mixu (Paatelainen, then Killie boss) and myself both came out afterwards talking about how good a game it was.
"They are great going forward and I'm expecting another cracking game this time. I watched them against Celtic in midweek but it was hard to judge them on that."
Source: PA
Source: PA