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Dundee United
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 32
Mar 20, 2021 at 3pm UK
Tannadice Park
Aberdeen logo

Dundee Utd
1 - 0
Aberdeen

Sporle (61')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Ferguson (44')

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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Scottish Premiership clash between Dundee United and Aberdeen, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Dundee United welcome managerless Aberdeen to Tannadice on Saturday afternoon, for what should be a keenly contested Scottish Premiership clash between these two old east coast rivals.

While the game might not have the intensity of historical clashes between the clubs back in their glory days of the 1980s, there is still plenty riding on Saturday's encounter.


Match preview

Dundee United boss Micky Mellon pictured on August 22, 2020© Reuters

Micky Mellon's Dundee United head into this game without a win in three games, a run that has seen them drop to eighth in the table, a point behind improving St Johnstone and three behind sixth-placed St Mirren.

Their last result was a 0-0 draw at home to Celtic, a result that followed on from a 1-1 draw away at Kilmarnock.

While momentum seems to be draining from the Terrors' campaign to finish in the top half, they have still enjoyed a reasonable campaign after being promoted to the top flight last season.

Mellon has stated that he is targeting a tilt at the Scottish Cup after the league splits, and wants his team to keep developing.

He is targeting a Europa League spot via the Scottish Cup, so is looking to keep morale high among his players.

Claiming a top-six finish now would be almost impossible, with St Mirren's goal difference meaning that United would need an eight-goal swing even if they matched the Buddies' points tally.

That situation has not stopped Mellon being optimistic, however, and he wants to see more improvement and a good attitude from his players, especially as the club is planning more recruitment this summer.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes pictured in November 22, 2020© Reuters

Aberdeen finally parted company with manager Derek McInnes, after a dispiriting 0-0 draw at home to Hamilton Academical last weekend.

Given the way that the Dons' campaign has petered out, the only real surprise about McInnes's departure was how long it took the board to make a decision.

The Dons, in fourth place, have slumped to six points behind Hibernian, and had Livingston's good run continued they may have found themselves in an even worse position.

Aberdeen have failed to score in eight of their last nine league matches, a damning statistic that highlights how difficult things had become under McInnes.

Stephen Glass, currently in charge of the second team at Aberdeen's strategic partners Atlanta United, has been mooted as a possible successor to McInnes.

St Mirren's Jim Goodwin and former Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson are also reportedly being considered by Dons chairman Dave Cormack.

None other than Sir Alex Ferguson is advising Cormack, but the club have more immediate concerns.

Paul Sheerin will be in the dugout for the Dons this weekend, and he has stated that he believes a third-placed finish is still possible.

If that is to be achieved, they will need a win on Tayside on Saturday, as much for the team's confidence as anything else.

Dundee United Scottish Premiership form:
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • D

Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form:
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • D


Team News

Scott Wright pictured for Aberdeen against Viking FK in September 2020© Reuters

Dundee United cannot call on Declan Glass this weekend, as the player is out indefinitely as he recovers from knee surgery.

Micky Mellon has no other injury concerns and should be able to pick a strong lineup for the visit of the Dons.

He has also spoken in the press this week about how he will be actively recruiting this summer, a clear message to his players that they need to be on their game for the rest of the season.

Paul Sheerin cannot call on Scotland Under-21 international Fraser Hornby, who is out with a ruptured thigh muscle.

Welsh winger Ryan Hedges is also out for the rest of the season with a muscle problem.

Other than that, Aberdeen have no new concerns after a period in which several players have been sidelined.

Dundee United possible starting lineup:
Siegrist; Smith, Edwards, Reynolds, Robson; Butcher; Fuchs, Harkes; Clark; McNulty, Shankland

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Lewis; Taylor, Hoban, Considine; McCrorie; McGeouch, McGinn, Hayes; Ferguson; Hendry, Kamberi


SM words green background

We say: Dundee United 1-0 Aberdeen

Dundee United look in much better shape currently than Aberdeen, who seem dispirited and a little purposeless in the wake of McInnes's departure.

The home side should therefore enjoy a narrow victory this weekend, beating their old rivals 1-0.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Away:data



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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Aberdeen win with a probability of 44.87%. A draw had a probability of 28.2% and a win for Dundee United had a probability of 26.91%.

The most likely scoreline for an Aberdeen win was 0-1 with a probability of 13.85%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 0-2 (9.01%) and 1-2 (8.46%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (13%), while for a Dundee United win it was 1-0 (10%). The actual scoreline of 1-0 was predicted with a 10% likelihood.


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Game History

How you voted: Dundee Utd vs Aberdeen

Dundee United
50.0%
Draw
11.4%
Aberdeen
38.6%
44
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Alex Ferguson pictured in May 1994
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1211103543134
2Aberdeen12101125121331
3RangersRangers12723179823
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd135531914520
5Motherwell126151616019
6St Mirren145361923-418
7Dundee134362225-315
8Ross County143651222-1015
9St Johnstone144191727-1013
10Kilmarnock133371526-1112
11Hearts142391524-99
12Hibernian131571222-108


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