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

Dundee United host Aberdeen at Tannadice Park in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, with hopes of ending their poor run of form in the league by picking up what would be their fourth win of the season.

The visitors will be looking to build on their previous two victories before the international break and climb to third in the table.

Match preview

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Dundee United boss Micky Mellon ordered his players to rediscover their fire ahead of their previous match in the Betfred Cup this week and the Scotsman will be hoping his players can do the same in the league.

The Tayside club bounced back from consecutive home defeats against Livingston and Peterhead to narrowly win 1-0 against Kelty Hearts, thanks to a Ryan Edwards header in first-half stoppage time.

Mellon was pleased that the club got back to winning ways but will be concerned that his team were not able to claim a more convincing victory over a Lowland League side.

Dundee United, who currently sit seventh in the table, have lacked consistency this campaign, having lost five of their opening 10 matches since promotion from the Scottish Championship.

Mellon hopes that a strong showing against the Dons will give them a platform to climb the table in the coming weeks.

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Aberdeen have begun their campaign strongly, winning six of their opening eight league matches, and have only seen defeats to Rangers on the opening day as well as a surprise 3-0 home loss to Motherwell thwart their chances of remaining unbeaten.

Manager Derek McInnes will be keen for his squad to maintain their current form and win their third game on the bounce, after previously winning 3-0 away at Ross County and most recently coming out on top against St Mirren, after a late Lewis Ferguson strike claimed a 2-1 home victory for the Dons.

With Aberdeen failing to qualify for the Europa League after a 1-0 away defeat to Sporting Lisbon, they can now focus solely on their domestic fixtures, with the league remaining a priority.

Dundee United Scottish Premiership form: LLLWDL

Dundee United (all competitions): WDLWLW

Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form: WWLLWW

Aberdeen form (all competitions): WWLLWW

Team News

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Dundee United are likely to revert to a four-man defence which should see Ryan Edwards partnering Mark Reynolds at centre back.

Adrian Sporle is set to remain in the side as a left-winger rather than in his natural position at left-back, where Jamie Robson will likely continue.

New loan signing Marc McNulty could make his debut up front and play alongside either Nicky Clark or Lawrence Shankland.

Cameroon midfielder Jeando Fuchs, who has been in quarantine for two weeks following his arrival from Spanish side Alaves, will not feature this weekend.

Aberdeen defender Michael Devlin (hamstring), midfielders Dean Campbell (foot) and Matty Kennedy (knee), and striker Curtis Main (thigh) all remain sidelined.

Andrew Considine and Ross McCrorie, who were both away on international duty with Scotland, are set to remain in the heart of the Dons midfield.

Marley Watkins, who scored in Aberdeen's most recent victory over St Mirren, is likely to keep his place in attack.

Forward Sam Cosgrove could feature for the first time this season since suffering a knee injury in the summer.

Dundee United possible starting lineup:

Mehmet; Bolton, Edwards, Reynolds, Robson; Chalmers, Butcher, Harkes, Sporle; Clark, Shankland

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:

Lewis; Hoban, Taylor, Considine; Hedges, Ferguson, McCrorie, Hayes; Wright; McGinn, Watkins

We say: Dundee United 0-2 Aberdeen

Derek McInnes's side is set up to be compact when out of possession yet dangerous when in attack. The Dons come up against a side out of form and lacking a cutting edge going forward, which should see the visitors claim a solid victory on their travels.

Top betting tip

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