Preview: Dundee United vs. St Johnstone - prediction, team news, lineups

It is a Tayside derby at Tannadice on Saturday afternoon, when Dundee United entertain St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.

Micky Mellon 's United side are in sixth place in the league table, seven points ahead of the Perth Saints, who sit in ninth.

Match preview

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Dundee United's players are heading into this game after agreeing to take wage cuts to help the club through the COVID-19 crisis.

The players agreed to pay cuts after Micky Mellon and his staff did likewise, with talks taking place since October with owner Mark Ogren about how to cut costs at the club.

Whether that will affect performance remains to be seen, but the Terrors go into the weekend's clash with St Johnstone having not won in their last three games.

Last weekend, United managed a goalless draw away at Aberdeen, a return to a semblance of form after being beaten 3-0 at Celtic the week before.

The Terrors' last win was against Kilmarnock on December 23, when they won 2-0 at Tannadice, before drawing 1-1 at home to Motherwell a week later.

Mellon's team will be encouraged by their recent history against the Perth Saints, with United having won one and drawn two of their last three Premiership meetings with Saturday's opponents.

United also have a decent recent record at home, having lost just one of their last six on their own soil, and that was against table-topping Rangers.

St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson has spoken in praise this week of his club's new signing - James Brown, who has joined on loan until the end of the season from Millwall.

The right-back is replacing Danny McNamara, who has returned to Millwall, and Davidson is optimistic that Brown will make his debut on Saturday.

In addition to any boost that Brown might provide, the Saints will also feel encouraged by their recent record against United.

The Perth outfit have not lost in their last three away trips to Tannadice, winning two and drawing one of those games.

Davidson's team have also drawn each of their last seven meetings with newly promoted clubs, a record that includes both of their previous games against United this season.

Ali McCann is a player whom United will need to watch closely on Saturday. The Northern Ireland international midfielder has started 25 sequences in open play this season that have resulted in the Saints having a shot on goal.

Dundee United Scottish Premiership form: LDWDLD

Dundee United form (all competitions): LDWDLD

St Johnstone Scottish Premiership form: LLLLDD

St Johnstone form (all competitions): DLLLDD

Team News

Ryan Edwards is a doubt for United after suffering a knock last weekend in the game against Aberdeen.

Logan Chalmers remains sidelined with the ankle injury that he suffered in October, while Declan Glass is still recovering from the knee surgery he underwent in September.

United have other injury concerns too, with Jeando Fuchs set to see a specialist about the knee injury that has kept him out of the club's last two games.

Striker Marc McNulty missed the game against Aberdeen and he looks set to continue his spell on the sidelines with an ankle problem.

Midfielder Calum Butcher also has a hamstring injury that will likely see him miss Saturday's game.

New arrival James Brown could make his debut for St Johnstone after joining from Millwall on loan.

Callum Davidson has no other injury or suspension concerns ahead of Saturday's game.

Dundee United possible starting lineup:

Siegrist; Neilson, Connolly, Reynolds; Smith, Clark, Harkes, Pawlett, Robson; Shankland, Appere

St Johnstone possible starting lineup:

Clark; Rooney, Gordon, McCart; Brown, McCann, Davidson, Booth; O'Halloran, Kane, Conway

We say: Dundee United 2-1 St Johnstone

We think that Micky Mellon's team will end their three-game winless streak with a solid win against the Perth Saints on Saturday.

St Johnstone have struggled to win games in recent weeks and we anticipate that that trend will continue with another defeat on Saturday.

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