Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

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

sportsmole.co.uk, 18 August 2022, 20:19
Dundee United will continue to search for their first victory of the season in the Scottish Premiership this Saturday when they host St Mirren.

The visitors head into the game on the back of a win, which was their only one to this point in the campaign following their opening three games.

Match preview

Despite a strong 2021-22 campaign when they finished in fourth place, Dundee United have had a difficult start to the new campaign, having failed to win in their opening three matches.

The Terrors kickstarted their SPL season with a draw against Kilmarnock, but it was a disappointing one as they conceded a 91st-minute equaliser to share the points.

Following on from that Jack Ross has witnessed his team lose 1-0 to Livingston and 4-1 against Hearts, which are results the squad now look to put behind them.

On top of that, Dundee United suffered a heavy 7-0 defeat at the hands of AZ Alkmaar in the second leg of their Europa Conference League third-qualifying round, despite the fact they won the first game 1-0.

With a mixed bag of results across all competitions to kickstart the season, the Terrors need to find some consistency in order to start making the necessary progress they want.

The visitors have only won a single game so far, showcasing that they are not in the strongest of form themselves, but that win did take place in their most recent outing.

That took place against Ross County with Richard Tait's 50th-minute goal being enough to separate the two teams on that particular day, which they will be hoping to repeat on Saturday.

Prior to that, the Buddies were defeated by Motherwell and Aberdeen, with one issue for the squad being their attacking capabilities as they have only scored twice across the three games.

St Mirren will need to address that situation in order to pick up more points as the season goes on, especially since this was a problem for them in the previous campaign as well.

Only the two teams who were relegated ended up scoring fewer goals than them in the 2021-22 season, which showcases that this is a long-term issue.

Dundee United Scottish Premiership form:

Dundee United form (all competitions):

St Mirren Scottish Premiership form:

St Mirren form (all competitions):

Team News

Steven Fletcher came off the bench to score for Dundee United in their most recent outing, and considering their need for goals and the experience the striker brings, he could be used from the start this time around.

Glenn Middleton is another attacker that will likely be featured early on to provide some width to the team while Charlie Mulgrew should be in the heart of the midfield.

Steve Robinson might look to make no changes at all to his St Mirren starting lineup after they won their first game of the season, especially since the squad kept a clean sheet as well.

The three-at-the-back system that the Buddies operate is something different from their opponents, and that could end up working in their favour, particularly when it comes to their wide options.

Dundee United possible starting lineup:

Birighitti; Smith, Edwards, Graham, Behich; McGrath, Mulgrew, Harkes; Fletcher, Middleton, Watt

St Mirren possible starting lineup:

Carson; Fraser, Shaughnessy, Dunne; Strain, Baccus, Erhahon, Kiltie, Tait; Ayunga, Main

We say: Dundee United 2-1 St Mirren

Dundee United may not have won a game in the Scottish Premiership this season, but they do have a squad capable of picking up results, and this could be the turning point for them.

St Mirren will be sure to provide a stern taste for the hosts in this particular encounter, but it is one that the Terrors may just edge.

Previews by email

Top News

8 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Celtic vs. Dundee Utd (Wednesday, 7.45pm) Celtic, aiming to further extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, are set to take on high-flying Dundee United at Celtic Park on Wednesday night. 8 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The Premier League cannot relegate reigning champions Manchester City if they are found guilty of the 115 financial charges levelled against them, according to a football finance expert. 8 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly making progress in their pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt attacker Omar Marmoush. 8 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have added a 'cheaper' left-back to their shortlist of targets for the January transfer window, according to a report. 7 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United attacker Marcus Rashford has reportedly turned down an approach from Galatasaray to join the Turkish club in January. 7 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United will reluctantly consider selling home-grown players, including Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho, as part of their efforts to comply with financial rules, according to a report. 7 January 2025 talksport.com Bruno Guimaraes has further endeared himself to Newcastle supporters with his reaction to their win over Arsenal. 7 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Vinicius Junior will be available to feature in Thursday's Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Mallorca despite being hit with a two-match ban following his red card in Friday's 2-1 league win over Valencia. 7 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has bettered an impressive scoring feat of Alan Shearer after netting a landmark goal in the Magpies' 2-0 first-leg win over Arsenal in the EFL Cup semi-finals on Tuesday night. 7 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle United took a major stride towards ending their 70-year trophy drought with a 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. 7 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly ready to cash in on at least one squad member in order to fund a move for a new centre-back. 7 January 2025 talksport.com Graham Potter is close to being appointed West Ham boss and could be in charge for their FA Cup tie against Aston Villa on Friday night. 7 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will attempt to set up a final clash against either Barcelona or Athletic Bilbao when they face Mallorca in Thursday's Spanish Super Cup semi-final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 7 January 2025 talksport.com Newcastle drew first blood in their Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal with a history-making goal by Alexander Isak. 7 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Saudi Pro League action is set to resume after the month-long December break this week with Al-Nassr taking on Al Okhdood at Al-Awwal Park on Thursday evening. 7 January 2025 talksport.com David Wagner has been interviewed for the Plymouth Argyle vacancy, talkSPORT understands. 7 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool meet in North London in the second of this week's EFL Cup semi-final first legs on Wednesday. 7 January 2025 talksport.com Arsenal and Newcastle meet at the Emirates for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tonight, live on talkSPORT. 7 January 2025 talksport.com Manchester City will need to pay £50million to sign Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt, talkSPORT understands. 7 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Trent Alexander-Arnold has arguably never played worse for Liverpool, and he must address the current impasse in his contract negotiations as his silence has backfired, according to Reds expert David Lynch. 7 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid and Mallorca will be looking to secure a place in the Spanish Super Cup final when they face off at King Abdullah Sports City in Thursday's semi-final clash. 7 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk AC Milan winger Rafael Leao has reportedly revealed which dream club he wants to join in the summer. 7 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona will be vying for a place in the Spanish Super Cup final when they face off in Wednesday's semi-final at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 7 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool were outworked by Manchester United last Sunday and can have no complaints with the 2-2 draw, though 2024-25 has so far been an overwhelmingly successful season, Reds expert David Lynch has claimed. 7 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Bournemouth have revealed that striker Evanilson has undergone surgery on a broken foot. 7 January 2025 talksport.com Paul Scholes insists 'nothing positive' has transpired at Manchester United since Sir Jim Ratcliffe's arrival at the club. 7 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo has reportedly stated his intent to join Juventus during the January transfer window. 7 January 2025 talksport.com Mikel Arteta is a huge admirer but it doesn't look like Arsenal will be able to sign Nico Williams this month, talkSPORT understands. 7 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk West Ham United's proposed move for manager Graham Potter has reportedly stalled over the length of contract being offered to the manager. 7 January 2025 talksport.com Jose Mourinho has hit out at Fenerbahce's title rivals and the referees in Turkey in his latest sensational rant.