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

Dundee United have the possibility of finishing the weekend on top of the Scottish Premiership depending on other results as they look to continue their recent form when they host Motherwell on Saturday.

· Sports Mole

The visitors would draw level with the Tangerines on points if they can win, but they will need to respond after suffering consecutive defeats heading into this game.


Match preview

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Dundee United have been one of the strongest teams in the league this season, which is why they currently sit in third place, just three points behind the current league leaders, Rangers.

The Tangerines are enjoying a three-match unbeaten run at the moment, which kicked off with a draw against Celtic and was then followed up with a 1-0 win against Ross County before the international break.

At the weekend Dundee United faced Hibernian and they were able to overtake them in the table following an impressive 3-0 win with goals from Nicky Clark, Ryan Edwards and Kieran Freeman.

This performance was something that they needed in terms of goals as only two clubs in the entire league have scored fewer than them so far.

However, no team have conceded more than Motherwell, which could provide the Tangerines with another opportunity to showcase their attacking qualities.

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The visitors had built up a six-match run following the opening game of the season where they went undefeated, but that came to an end before the international break.

The Steelmen were beaten by Hearts 2-0 and during their most recent outing, they suffered another loss with the same score, going two matches in a row without finding the back of the net.

Motherwell struggled against Celtic at the weekend, failing to register a single shot on target as they only managed to gain 26% of the possession.

Last season, the two teams faced each other four times and there was nothing to separate them with each club winning a game each alongside two draws.

Dundee United Scottish Premiership form:

  • L
  • D
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W

Dundee United form (all competitions):

  • D
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • W

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:

  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • L

Motherwell form (all competitions):

  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • L

Team News

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Maxime Biamou was handed his debut for Dundee United at the weekend, featuring from the bench in the second half, which could lead to him being an option again on Saturday.

Declan Glass was brought into the starting XI against Hibernian, taking up the attacking midfield slot, and considering the dominant display that the team put out, he could end up retaining that.

Motherwell will be without Robbie Crawford who is set to miss up to six weeks of action through an ankle injury, which does provide an opportunity for others to express themselves.

Kevin van Veen provided some bright sparks in the defeat against Celtic once he appeared from the bench and that could have earned him a place in the team for this weekend.

Dundee United possible starting lineup:
Siegrist; Freeman, Edwards, Mulgrew, McMann; Niskanen, Harkes, Fuchs, Pawlett; Glass; Clark

Motherwell possible starting lineup:
Kelly; O'Donnell, Mugabi, Ojala, McGinley; Grimshaw, Slattery, Goss; Roberts, Watt, Woolery


We say: Dundee United 2-1 Motherwell

Dundee United and Motherwell have been two impressive teams within the Scottish Premiership this season, but the recent form of the visitors could be set to continue here.

The Tangerines are playing well at the moment and have a real spark about them, which might help the team to keep the pressure on those above.


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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