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

Struggling Kilmarnock welcome Dundee United to Rugby Park in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, when both teams will be looking to get back to winning ways.

The hosts come into this game on the back of three consecutive draws, and for the visitors, after a solid start to their campaign they have since lost consecutive league games.

Match preview

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Kilmarnock come into this weekend’s match on the back of a 2-2 draw away at St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership, where a Marley Watkins strike and a Jonah Ayunga own goal helped Killie to what was only their second point of the season thus far.

Unfortunately for Kilmarnock, Toyosi Olusanya and Mark O’Hara scored for the hosts, and Derek McInnes‘s side were also reduced to ten players when Joe Wright was sent off on the cusp of half time for an alleged punch in the stomach of Shaun Rooney which was picked up by VAR.

It was Wright’s second red card of the season, and the fourth for Killie already, so discipline has been a huge issue and certainly a contributing factor to their slow start to the campaign.

In fact, when you look at the underlying stats beyond the bad discipline, it is clear to see that Kilmarnock’s problems are at both ends of the pitch, as they have the second-lowest xG (1.12) and the highest xGA (1.60) in the Scottish Premiership so far this season.

Kilmarnock have also been dumped out of the League Cup in the second round by Motherwell and the Europa Conference League by FC Copenhagen in the playoff round, so it has been a tough opening few months of the season on all fronts for McInnes’s side.

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Dundee United meanwhile come into Saturday’s game on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Motherwell in the League Cup last Friday, when goals from Zach Robinson and a last-gasp Lennon Miller penalty resigned Kilmarnock to defeat.

Louis Moult had initially equalised late on for Dundee United, so the late strike from Miller ruined the prospect of an exciting trip to Hampden Park to play Rangers in the semi-final.

Their last league outing also ended in defeat as they were beaten 1-0 at home by Rangers courtesy of Tom Lawrence‘s early strike, and despite the close scoreline, the hosts could not muster a shot on target as they slumped to a disappointing defeat on home soil.

Jim Goodwin‘s side need to get back to winning ways soon, as before their defeat at home to Rangers they were on an eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions and looked primed for a push for the European places in the table.

In terms of their away league form however, Goodwin’s side are on an unbeaten run that stretches all the way back to March’s defeat at Dunfermline Athletic, and they should feel confident in extending their unbeaten run on the road this weekend if they can get back to the form they had demonstrated back in August.

Kilmarnock Scottish Premiership form:

Kilmarnock form (all competitions):

Dundee United Scottish Premiership form:

Dundee United form (all competitions):

Team News

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Wright is suspended for Saturday’s visit of Dundee United after picking up his second red card of the season, with Lewis Mayo and Robbie Deas on standby to deputise in his place.

There is however mixed news on the midfield front, as Kyle Magennis‘s ongoing absence is eased by the news that fellow midfielder Brad Lyons is expected to return following a lengthy injury spell.

Ryan Strain is expected to be the only absentee for Dundee United when they travel to Kilmarnock this weekend, with Goodwin having an otherwise fully-fit squad to choose from here.

Jort van der Sande will be hoping to once again lead the line for his side, but with Moult scoring in the last game, the experienced English forward could be pushing for a start here.

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
O’Hara; Burroughs, Mayo, Findlay, Ndaba; Armstrong, Watson, Polworth, Kennedy; Vassell, Watkins

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

We say: Kilmarnock 1-2 Dundee United

Kilmarnock have endured a difficult start to their campaign and their underlying stats are also a cause for concern heading into this weekend’s game, and Dundee United come into this game on the back of two consecutive defeats, we would expect them to get back to winning ways here at the expense of Kilmarnock.

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

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