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

The visitors currently sit just outside the European places in the table, and they will be aiming to move further up the ladder here.

Match preview

Dundee United have had a torrid start to the 2022-23 campaign across the opening eight matches, as they remain the only side in the Scottish Premiership without a win.

Tony Watt's late strike against St Johnstone last time out served as nothing more than a consolation for the Terrors, and the 2-1 defeat means they are still yet to pick up a positive result at Tannadice Park so far this season.

The poor performances have left Liam Fox's side rock-bottom of the table heading into this weekend, however, that could change if they pick up their maiden win this Saturday.

The former Livingston midfielder was only appointed as permanent manager on September 23, but he will know he needs to pick up points quickly.

The defensive displays have cost the Terrors significantly - they have conceded 22 times already this season.

Whilst they need to tighten up at the back, Dundee United also need to find some firepower going forward having managed just four goals so far.

Aberdeen have endured a mixed start to their 2022-23 season with four wins, three draws and one loss in their eight fixtures.

In the Dons' last outing, they were far too strong for Kilmarnock, running out 4-1 winners at home with Bojan Miovski bagging himself a brace. That takes his tally to seven for the season so far, just one behind Rangers striker Antonio Colak, who is currently top of the scoring charts.

The emphatic victory against Killie is the first win for Jim Goodwin's side since their 5-0 demolition of Livingston back in August.

It also marks a positive response to the disappointing defeat suffered at the hands of Hibernian prior to the international break.

In terms of chances converted, Aberdeen have been one of the more clinical sides in the league outside of Celtic and Rangers, registering 18 goals across their eight league matches.

The Dons will be aiming to continue their brilliance in front of goal against a Dundee United side with defensive frailties this weekend when they travel to Tannadice Park.

Dundee United Scottish Premiership form:

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L

L

D

L

L

Dundee United form (all competitions):

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L

W

D

L

L

Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form:

L

W

W

D

L

W

Aberdeen form (all competitions):

W

W

D

D

L

W

Team News

Tony Watt is likely to retain his place up front, but with Liam Fox still relatively new in the job he could shake things up and rotate for a few weeks until he finds his preferred starting XI.

Sadat Anaku was handed his first start of the season against St Johnstone last time out after an impressive cameo against Rangers, so he could potentially join Watt up top here.

Peter Pawlett may still be sidelined with the Achilles problem he sustained before the international break, while Charlie Mulgrew could be welcomed back into the fold after missing the defeat to St Johnstone through injury.

The visitors will travel without the services of Callum Roberts, who is out with a hamstring injury which will likely rule him out of action until after the World Cup according to Goodwin.

Connor Barron recently returned to training for the Dons but was not fit enough for the game against Kilmarnock. However, Goodwin has said that he hopes to have the midfielder involved in some capacity here.

Dundee United possible starting lineup:

Eriksson; Smith, Edwards, Graham; Freeman, Harkes, Levitt, McGrath, Behich; Anaku, Watt

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:

Roos; Richardson, Stewart, McCrorie, Coulson; Watkins, Ramadani, Kennedy, Hayes; Miovski, Besuijen

We say: Dundee United 0-2 Aberdeen

Given Dundee United's struggles both defensively and offensively, we can see this being a comfortable evening for the Dons.

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