Two teams separated by just one place in the Scottish Premiership table are set to clash on Sunday evening when Dundee United host Aberdeen at Tannadice Park.
The hosts are fourth in the league standings with 28 points from 18 matches, while the visitors are in third with 34 points from their first 18 fixtures.
Match preview
![Jim Goodwin (Manager) of Dundee United during the 2024/25 Pre Season Friendly match between Dundee United and Luton Town at CalForth Construction Arena, Tannadice Park, Scotland on 26 July 2024 [on August 2, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/31/jim-goodwin.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Jim Goodwin (Manager) of Dundee United during the 2024/25 Pre Season Friendly match between Dundee United and Luton Town at CalForth Construction Arena, Tannadice Park, Scotland on 26 July 2024 [on August 2, 2024]")
© Imago
After suffering relegation from the top flight in 2022-23, Dundee United instantly earned promotion back to the Scottish Premiership by winning the second division, and they have enjoyed a brilliant return to the Premiership so far this campaign.
Jim Goodwin's men sit fourth in the standings after 18 matches with 28 points, from seven wins, seven draws and four losses, leaving them seven points clear of seventh-placed Hibernian in the race to place in the top half.
The Tangerines have been especially strong in recent weeks, losing just one of their last eight matches, a dramatic 4-3 loss to Motherwell, alongside three wins and four draws.
While another victory here would not see Dundee Utd leapfrog Aberdeen and move into third, it would close the gap to just three points, though history suggests the hosts may struggle, having lost to the Dons in all of their last three meetings.
As for the visitors, after making a stunning start to the season, they have hit a major stumbling block in recent weeks, leaving them slipping down the table.
Jimmy Thelin's side remained unbeaten in their opening 16 matches of the campaign across all competitions, winning 15 and drawing just one, before eventually being defeated 6-0 by Celtic in the Scottish League Cup semi-finals.
While they initially bounced back from that miserable loss with a 4-1 win against Dundee in the Scottish Premiership, Aberdeen have since failed to win any of the following seven outings, with three draws and four losses.
Their most recent result was a devastating 4-0 loss to Kilmarnock, a defeat that Thelin and Aberdeen will be desperate to bounce back from, and their recent record of three consecutive wins against Dundee Utd should boost their confidence heading into this one.
Team News
© Imago
Dundee United will be without Craig Sibbald (groin) and Louis Moult (shoulder) due to injury issues, while Declan Gallagher is suspended after receiving a red card in the last game.
After beating St Johnstone in their last outing, Goodwin could decide to name the same starting side in this one, with top scorer Sam Dalby leading the line.
The visitors will be without the services of Jack Milne (ankle), Pape Habib Gueye (muscle) and Vicente Besuijen for this match due to ongoing injury concerns.
Having suffered a miserable 4-0 loss to Kilmarnock last time out, Thelin could opt to make a number of changes to Aberdeen's starting team for this game.
Dundee United possible starting lineup:
Walton; Adegboyega, Graham, Holt; Strain, Odada, Sevelj, Ferry; Fotheringham, Middleton; Dalby
Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Mitov; Devlin, Rubezic, MacDonald, Mackenzie; Palaversa, Shinnie; Duk, McGrath, Clarkson; Morris
We say: Dundee United 2-1 Aberdeen
Dundee Utd have lost just one of their last eight matches across all competitions, while Aberdeen are without a win in their last seven outings, leading us to believe the hosts will win here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
