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

Dundee United are currently undefeated in their last three games in the league, and sit in fifth place as they come off the back of drawing against Celtic.

Match preview

After finishing in ninth place after the 2020-21 campaign, Dundee United have made a much brighter start to this season, even though they lost their opening match of the season.

Since that point, Tam Courts has only seen his team beaten once in the league, which came against Hearts, with the squad building in confidence as they have become tough to defeat.

Even though they have only scored four goals in the Scottish Premiership, Dundee United have managed to climb to fifth, having gone three games undefeated heading into Saturday's test.

Ian Harkes could have solved his teams scoring problem, having found the back of the net in the previous two league matches, netting the winner in the Dundee derby, and then again last weekend against Celtic.

The Hoops took the lead against the Terrors early in the first half, but Harkes wasted no time in responding as he was able to fire his team back into the game just two minutes later.

While Dundee United were knocked out of the Scottish League Cup recently, their league form has been strong and that is something that they shall be aiming to continue.

Ross County come into this game on the back of a defeat to Motherwell, with an 80th-minute goal from Tony Watt giving the Steelmen a 2-1 victory.

This added more misery to Malky Mackay, with his team having been unable to win a single game in the Scottish Premiership this season, with the club currently 11th.

Only Dundee are lower than them at the moment, with the Staggies having three points after picking up a trio of draws, one of which came during the first match of the season.

While the hosts have struggled for goals so far, this weekend could provide them with a perfect opportunity to change that as no team have conceded more than Ross County (15) in the opening seven games.

However, even though Mackay's squad have had problems early on, a victory has the potential to lift them to ninth place, which could provide a lot of confidence to the group.

Dundee United Scottish Premiership form:

Dundee United form (all competitions):

Ross County Scottish Premiership form:

Ross County form (all competitions):

Team News

Neither Charlie Mulgrew or Marc McNulty were able to feature against Celtic on Sunday after both men suffered injuries in the Scottish League Cup tie prior to that match.

However, Courts had stated that their problems were not as serious as the club first thought, which means both men could be in contention this weekend.

One player that will not be available to the Terrors is Mark Connolly, as he departed Dundee United this week to join Dunfermline Athletic on a loan deal until January 2022.

Benji Siegrist made his return to the starting XI against Celtic after being rested in the Scottish League Cup, and he is expected to play again.

Regan Charles-Cook found the back of the net against Motherwell at the weekend and he could retain his place in the midfield on Saturday.

Mackay opted to stick with the back three at the weekend, and that appears to be the way that the team is setting up now, despite the defensive problems that they have been having.

Dundee United possible starting lineup:

Siegrist; McMann, Edwards, Smith, Freeman; Fuchs, Levitt, Harkes; Pawlett, Niskanen, Clark

Ross County possible starting lineup:

Maynard-Brewer; Baldwin, Lacovitti, Burroughs; Charles-Cook, Tillson, Paton, Watson, Callachan; Spittal, White

We say: Dundee United 1-0 Ross County

Dundee United have struggled for goals this season, which could give the visitors some positives heading into this game, but the form of the hosts has been impressive.

It is likely going to be another positive result for the Terrors on Saturday, with the Staggies simply struggling to get their campaign going at the moment.