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

Ross County travel to Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday with Stuart Kettlewell hoping his side can bounce back from a heavy 4-0 defeat at Motherwell.

Meanwhile, the hosts will be hoping to get back to winning ways after successive goalless draws against Aberdeen and St Johnstone.

Match preview

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Despite Dundee United owner Mark Ogren announcing this week that the club are set to implement cost-cutting measures amid the ongoing financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the Tangerines are getting used to life back in the top flight for the first time in five years.

Micky Mellon 's side currently sit in sixth place in the Scottish Premiership after 12 matches, six points clear of both St Mirren and St Johnstone at the foot of the table.

Dundee United have also achieved three clean sheets on the bounce including two goalless draws and a 1-0 victory over Kelty Hearts in the Scottish Cup.

Mellon has been able to shore up his defence, however he now has the task of finding a way for his strikers to get on the scoresheet more consistently. The Tangerines have only scored eight league goals so far this campaign, the third fewest in the division.

The likes of Lawrence Shankland, Nicky Clark and new signing Marc McNulty will be the forwards relied upon to turn their recent stalemates into victories.

Like Dundee United, Ross County have also had to cut their cloth accordingly to deal with the COVID-19 crisis, yet that has had little impact to their results on the pitch.

Manager Stuart Kettewell has been satisfied with his team's start to the campaign, which has seen his side pick up 12 points from 12 matches, however he was not pleased with their most recent defeat away to Motherwell.

A 4-0 loss last weekend extends their winless run to four matches and the Staggies have also failed to score in any of those defeats.

Ross County are another side like this weekend's opponents who have struggled to find the net - with just seven league goals this campaign, only St Mirren have scored fewer.

The Staggies are well aware that their opponents have found their defensive stability and will need to be clinical in front of goal if they are to end their poor run of form.

Dundee United Scottish Premiership form: LWDLDD

Dundee United form (all competitions): LWLWDD

Ross County Scottish Premiership form: LWLLDL

Ross County form (all competitions): LLWWDL

Team News

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Dundee United are still without winger Logan Chalmers after the 20-year-old suffered an ankle injury against Aberdeen two weeks ago.

Recent signing Jeando Fuchs could feature to build up his match fitness following the midfielder's spell in quarantine.

Striker Marc McNulty, on loan from Reading, could be in line to start successive matches in attack.

Full-back Connor Randall is back in contention to start for Ross County following his one-match suspension.

Defender Callum Morris remains sidelined with a calf injury.

Ross Doohan is set to remain as Kettlewell's number one with Ross Laidlaw remaining on the bench.

Dundee United possible starting lineup:

Siegrist; Bolton, Connolly, Reynolds, Edwards, Robson; Harkes, Butcher; Clark, McNulty, Shankland

Ross County possible starting lineup:

Doohan; Randall, Donaldson, Watson, Iacovitti, Reid; Paton, Vigurs, Gardyne; Mckay, Stewart

We say: Dundee United 1-1 Ross County

There is not much to separate the two sides with both clubs struggling for consistency and lacking a clinical goalscorer. Micky Mellon and Stuart Kettlewell will be hoping that their strikers can find form in front of goal, however the two teams may find it difficult to overcome one another.

Top betting tip

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