Preview: Dundee United vs. Aberdeen - prediction, team news

Dundee United welcome managerless Aberdeen to Tannadice on Saturday afternoon, for what should be a keenly contested Scottish Premiership clash between these two old east coast rivals.

While the game might not have the intensity of historical clashes between the clubs back in their glory days of the 1980s, there is still plenty riding on Saturday's encounter.

Match preview

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Micky Mellon 's Dundee United head into this game without a win in three games, a run that has seen them drop to eighth in the table, a point behind improving St Johnstone and three behind sixth-placed St Mirren.

Their last result was a 0-0 draw at home to Celtic, a result that followed on from a 1-1 draw away at Kilmarnock.

While momentum seems to be draining from the Terrors' campaign to finish in the top half, they have still enjoyed a reasonable campaign after being promoted to the top flight last season.

Mellon has stated that he is targeting a tilt at the Scottish Cup after the league splits, and wants his team to keep developing.

He is targeting a Europa League spot via the Scottish Cup, so is looking to keep morale high among his players.

Claiming a top-six finish now would be almost impossible, with St Mirren's goal difference meaning that United would need an eight-goal swing even if they matched the Buddies' points tally.

That situation has not stopped Mellon being optimistic, however, and he wants to see more improvement and a good attitude from his players, especially as the club is planning more recruitment this summer.

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Aberdeen finally parted company with manager Derek McInnes, after a dispiriting 0-0 draw at home to Hamilton Academical last weekend.

Given the way that the Dons' campaign has petered out, the only real surprise about McInnes's departure was how long it took the board to make a decision.

The Dons, in fourth place, have slumped to six points behind Hibernian, and had Livingston's good run continued they may have found themselves in an even worse position.

Aberdeen have failed to score in eight of their last nine league matches, a damning statistic that highlights how difficult things had become under McInnes.

Stephen Glass, currently in charge of the second team at Aberdeen's strategic partners Atlanta United, has been mooted as a possible successor to McInnes.

St Mirren's Jim Goodwin and former Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson are also reportedly being considered by Dons chairman Dave Cormack.

None other than Sir Alex Ferguson is advising Cormack, but the club have more immediate concerns.

Paul Sheerin will be in the dugout for the Dons this weekend, and he has stated that he believes a third-placed finish is still possible.

If that is to be achieved, they will need a win on Tayside on Saturday, as much for the team's confidence as anything else.

Dundee United Scottish Premiership form:

L

W

W

L

D

D

Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form:

L

D

L

W

L

D

Team News

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Dundee United cannot call on Declan Glass this weekend, as the player is out indefinitely as he recovers from knee surgery.

Micky Mellon has no other injury concerns and should be able to pick a strong lineup for the visit of the Dons.

He has also spoken in the press this week about how he will be actively recruiting this summer, a clear message to his players that they need to be on their game for the rest of the season.

Paul Sheerin cannot call on Scotland Under-21 international Fraser Hornby, who is out with a ruptured thigh muscle.

Welsh winger Ryan Hedges is also out for the rest of the season with a muscle problem.

Other than that, Aberdeen have no new concerns after a period in which several players have been sidelined.

Dundee United possible starting lineup:

Siegrist; Smith, Edwards, Reynolds, Robson; Butcher; Fuchs, Harkes; Clark; McNulty, Shankland

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:

Lewis; Taylor, Hoban, Considine; McCrorie; McGeouch, McGinn, Hayes; Ferguson; Hendry, Kamberi

We say: Dundee United 1-0 Aberdeen

Dundee United look in much better shape currently than Aberdeen, who seem dispirited and a little purposeless in the wake of McInnes's departure.

The home side should therefore enjoy a narrow victory this weekend, beating their old rivals 1-0.

Top tip

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