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

The hosts come into this one without a win in two, while Dundee United are looking to bounce back following their elimination from the Scottish League Cup in midweek.

Match preview

St Mirren have made a positive start to the 2022-23 campaign and currently sit fifth in the Scottish Premiership table under Stephen Robinson.

The Northern Irishman has made the SMISA Stadium a tough place to get results as an away outfit, leading St Mirren to have the best home record in the division outside of Celtic and Rangers.

In the Buddies' six league matches on home soil, they have won four times and drawn once, with their only home defeat coming against Motherwell on matchday one back in July.

Nevertheless, they are without a win in two matches following a heavy 4-0 defeat to Rangers and a 0-0 stalemate against Kilmarnock at home last time out.

Manager Robinson will be keen to get back on the right track this weekend, with the potential to move as high as third in the league standings should St Mirren claim three points.

On the other hand, Dundee United enter the fray in 11th position in the Premiership and will be eyeing a positive result at the SMISA Stadium to elevate themselves out of the relegation playoff spot.

Following a poor start to the season, Liam Fox has taken charge at Tannadice and has overseen an improvement in performances over recent weeks.

The Terrors are unbeaten in their last three league matches, with two wins against Aberdeen and Dundee United, alongside a 1-1 draw with Ross County last Saturday.

However, they have now gone two games without a victory in all competitions and exited the Scottish League Cup on Tuesday in the quarter-finals away at Kilmarnock.

Goals from Kilmarnock duo Danny Armstrong and Kyle Lafferty were enough to secure victory for the hosts on the night despite a Glenn Middleton equaliser for the visitors.

Come this weekend, Dundee United will have to be more assured at both ends of the pitch if they are to take something from a difficult away venue.

St Mirren Scottish Premiership form:

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L

W

W

L

D

Dundee United Scottish Premiership form:

D

L

L

W

W

D

Dundee United form (all competitions):

L

L

W

W

D

L

Team News

St Mirren forward Toyosi Olusanya is the hosts' only long-term absentee for the visit of Dundee United on Saturday and will not participate.

Both Jonah Ayunga and Keanu Baccus risk being suspended if they pick up a yellow card during the match, though both are likely to feature from the start due to their importance to the side.

Dundee United have a full complement of players available for the trip to St Mirren this weekend.

Peter Pawlett could make his first start since the 2021-22 campaign following a lengthy spell out with an Achilles tendon issue. Other than that, Liam Fox has a strong squad to pick from in Paisley.

St Mirren possible starting lineup:

Carson; Strain, Gallagher, Dunne; Fraser, O'Hara, Erhahon, Baccus, Tanser; Ayunga, Main

Dundee United possible starting lineup:

Eriksson; Smith, Edwards, McMann; Freeman, Sibbald, McGrath, Levitt, Behich; Middleton, Watt

We say: St Mirren 1-1 Dundee United

In what will be a keenly contested encounter, we believe that both sides will create opportunities and serve up an entertaining spectacle.

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