The Tangerines beat Aberdeen on Monday and face Hamilton on Thursday before games against Motherwell on Sunday and then Hearts next Wednesday to complete a hectic schedule.
The Tannadice boss, who is likely to bring back into David Robertson and Paul Dixon to the side, said: "I mixed it up against Inverness and Aberdeen so I will make a couple of changes because I want to rest a couple of them before Sunday."
He added: "But it will still be a strong team against Hamilton. It won't be a team of boys like I did before the cup last season.
"It's an important game for us because although we've put six points between ourselves and Aberdeen, I still see them as a threat so we need to get as many on the board as possible.
"We have three games in hand but they're all hard games so we can take nothing for granted."
Accies are struggling at the bottom of the table but after holding United to a point at New Douglas Park less than a fortnight ago, Houston will not be taking them lightly.
He added: "I have a lot of respect for Hamilton. They have made it difficult for us in the past, most recently just 12 days ago.
"If we create the amount of chances we did at New Douglas Park then I'll be happy.
"Scoring the first goal is important because it will entice Hamilton out a bit. They have good experience and will have Alex Neil back, although he might be on the bench."
Source: PA
Source: PA