Preview: Dundee United vs. St Johnstone – prediction, team news, lineups

Dundee United will play host to St Johnstone at Tannadice Park on Saturday, seeking their first win of the 2024-25 Scottish Premiership season.

The hosts sit seventh in the table, taking two points from their opening two matches, while the visitors are fifth with one win and one loss from their two fixtures.

Match preview

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Following their relegation from the Scottish Premiership in 2022-23, Dundee United wasted no time in the Scottish Championship, lifting the league title in their first season to book their instant return to the top flight.

Jim Goodwin took charge during the 2022-23 campaign, and although he could not prevent their relegation, the Irish manager was entrusted to lead the team in the Championship.

Dundee United finished the season with 75 points, achieving promotion with 22 wins and nine draws from 36 matches, which left them six points clear at the top of the table.

They ended last term in fantastic form, losing just one of their final 11 league fixtures, and have carried that momentum into this current season, losing just one of their opening seven competitive fixtures across all competitions.

Despite that positive start, Goodwin’s side have failed to record a victory in either of their league games, particularly disappointing considering they have been ahead going into the closing stages of both matches.

Dundee United twice took the lead in their opening game against rivals Dundee FC, but a 79th-minute penalty led to a 2-2 draw, and they were once again pegged back after scoring the opening goal against Ross County, conceding a 95th-minute equaliser to end 1-1.

Goodwin guided his team to their first victory in three matches with a 1-0 win over St Mirren in the second round of the Scottish League Cup last time out, and the manager will be hoping his side can build upon that result with a first league victory in this one.

St Johnstone are coming into this one on the back of a mixed beginning to the 2024-25 season, winning four and losing three of their first seven matches across all competitions.

They started the term with three wins and one loss from four Scottish League Cup group stage fixtures, securing their progression from the group stage of the competition for the first time since 2021.

Craig Levein‘s men were handed a tough draw in the second round against Rangers, and the Gers recorded a comfortable 2-0 victory last time out to eliminate St Johnstone from the cup.

The Saints suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Aberdeen at home in their opening league match but bounced back with an impressive 3-0 win against Kilmarnock, now aiming to secure their second Scottish Premiership victory here.

Dundee United Scottish Premiership form:

Dundee United form (all competitions):

St Johnstone Scottish Premiership form:

St Johnstone form (all competitions):

Team News

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Ryan Strain is expected to be the only absentee for the hosts due to a hamstring injury that is likely to keep the midfielder on the sidelines until October.

Elsewhere, Goodwin could decide to name a similar side to the one that has remained unbeaten in their opening two Scottish Premiership matches so far.

Kristijan Trapanovski has made a brilliant start to his Dundee Utd career, scoring four goals and assisting two in his first seven appearances, and he is expected to start in attack once again here.

The visitors will be without Uche Ikpeazu, who is yet to make his debut for the club due to an injury that is likely to keep him out until early September.

Sam McClelland is also unavailable after suffering an injury in the opening league game against Aberdeen, and his replacement is likely to be Jack Sanders.

Dundee United possible starting lineup:
Walton; Adegboyega, Graham, Holt; Gallagher, Stephenson, Sibbald, Ferry; Babunski, Trapanovski; Van der Sande

St Johnstone possible starting lineup:
Rae; Neilson, Sanders, Cameron; Wright, MacPherson, Essel, Smith, Raymond; Sidibeh, Mbunga-Kimpioka

We say: Dundee United 2-1 St Johnstone

Despite failing to secure a league victory after conceding late equalisers in both of their matches, Dundee United, boosted by a win over St Mirren in the League Cup, are expected to claim their first three points of the Scottish Premiership campaign in this one.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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