Ross County will attempt to get themselves off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership this Saturday when they play host to Dundee United at the Global Energy Stadium.
The hosts come into this one on the back of a first win in five league games against Livingston, while Liam Fox's side enter the fray in good form after successive victories.
Match preview
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Ross County have made a disappointing start to life in 2022-23, currently placed at the foot of the Scottish Premiership table in 12th position on eight points.
Nevertheless, in their last outing, Malky Mackay managed to end their slump of five matches without a victory, as an Owura Edwards header in the 73rd minute was enough to see off Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena in a match where the Staggies had to withstand 22 shots on goal from the home team.
Before last weekend, there is no doubt that the Dingwall-based outfit had struggled to keep the ball out of the net. In their 10 league matches, they have shipped 18 goals which is the third-worst defensive record in the Scottish top flight behind Dundee United and Kilmarnock.
Scoring goals at the other end has been a problem, too, with their five efforts converted this season making them statistically the least potent team in the league this far.
Ross County has lacked any real spearhead to lead the attack this campaign, while the loss of Regan Charles-Cook in the summer to Belgian side Eupen has limited their offensive output.
Despite this, their solid showing against Livingston should provide a major confidence boost as they gear up to face Dundee United in a clash between the bottom two this weekend.
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Dundee United have enjoyed a mini-renaissance under Liam Fox in their last two games after an appalling start to the campaign, finally getting themselves off the bottom of the league standings.
Following their eight-match winless run at the start of the season, the Terrors eventually managed to pick up their first victory in the league by thrashing rivals Aberdeen 4-0 at home thanks to goals from Aziz Behich, Tony Watt, Jamie McGrath and a Ross McCrorie own goal.
In midweek, they managed to follow this up with a 1-0 triumph over Hibernian at Tannadice, which was settled by another strike from full-back Aziz Behich.
Much of their recent recovery can be attributed to their appointment of Liam Fox, who has instilled a new-found belief in the players at his disposal who previously looked miles off the pace.
Since taking over initially as interim manager and then being made permanent manager, the 38-year-old in all competitions has presided over three wins, two draws and narrow defeats away to Rangers at Ibrox and St Johnstone at home.
Fox will be aiming to secure his first three points on the road with Dundee United this weekend, a result which could move them out of the relegation playoff position.
Team News
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Ross County striker Alex Samuel will remain out for the hosts while he recovers from surgery, whereas Connor Randall is still missing due to a fractured leg sustained against Celtic early in the season.
George Harmon will be unavailable for the Staggies owing to a thigh muscle rupture, while David Cancola is at risk of picking up a suspension if he is booked against Dundee United.
It is unclear for the visitors whether Steven Fletcher and Charlie Mulgrew will be back in contention for Saturday after missing the win against Hibernian on Tuesday due to injury.
Other than that, Dundee United have no other injury concerns going into their visit to Dingwall and have a strong squad to pick from.
Ross County possible starting lineup:
Laidlaw; Watson, Iacovitti, Baldwin, Purrington; Cancola, Tillson; Olaigbe, Callachan, Edwards; White
Dundee United possible starting lineup:
Eriksson; Smith, Edwards, McMann; Freeman, Sibbald, Levitt, Behich; McGrath, Middleton; Watt
We say: Ross County 1-2 Dundee United
In a six-pointer between the two lowest-placed sides in the division, we expect both teams to put in plenty of endeavour as they seek to move further up the league table.
On this occasion, Dundee United will come out on top in a tight encounter with their offensive quality proving to be too hot to handle for home side Ross County.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
