Embattled St Johnstone will be aiming to end a four-match winless run as they welcome Dundee United to McDiarmid Park for a Boxing Day clash in the Scottish Premiership.
The hosts currently languish at the foot of the table with just 14 points from 18 outings, while the visitors sit in fifth place, having accumulated 25 points from 17 matches.
Match preview
© Imago
St Johnstone have consistently been embroiled in the fight for survival over the past three seasons, narrowly avoiding the drop on each occasion – a relegation play-off was required in 2021-22, while in 2022-23 and 2023-24, they finished just above the dreaded drop zone, relying on superior goal difference to outlast the teams below them.
This season, the Perth-based side once again find themselves battling to retain their Premiership status, having slipped to the foot of the table following a 2-1 defeat to Hearts in a critical clash of struggling teams last time out.
After losing four of their opening five league fixtures, with only one victory in between, Craig Levein was dismissed as manager, and his departure led to a brief interim spell under Andy Kirk before Simo Valakari was appointed on a permanent basis on October 1.
Since Valakari's arrival, St Johnstone have managed three wins in 11 league games, suffering seven defeats, including three losses in their last four matches, with a solitary draw during this recent stretch offering little solace amidst their ongoing struggles.
Seeking to reverse their fortunes, the Saints will look to their last home meeting against Thursday's opponents for inspiration—a hard-fought 1-0 victory in May 2023, but given that they currently hold the league's worst home record, even avoiding defeat in this fixture would be seen as a positive result.
© Imago
Meanwhile, Dundee United, who earned promotion to the top flight at the end of last season by finishing top of the second division, are out to prove they truly belong among the Premiership's elite.
The Tangerines are making a strong case for themselves, having amassed 25 points from 17 matches, leaving them fifth in the table, just one point behind fourth-placed Motherwell, who currently occupy the final European qualification spot.
In their biggest test yet, Jim Goodwin's men faced reigning champions and league leaders Celtic in their last outing, earning an impressive goalless draw.
However, with two draws and a defeat in their last three matches, Dundee United are winless in their last three league games and have claimed victory in just one of their last five.
Given the fierce competition for European places, extending this lacklustre run could harm their ambitions, and despite their struggles on the road, which has left them with the division's third-worst away record, the Tangerines have a golden opportunity to secure valuable points against the league's bottom side.
Team News
© Imago
St Johnstone are likely to remain without Cameron MacPherson (hip), Sam McClelland (Achilles tendon), and Uche Ikpeazu (knee) for this match, with all three players expected to be sidelined until next month.
Mackenzie Kirk, who has scored four goals in 17 appearances, is expected to partner Adama Sidibeh, who has netted twice in 14 matches, in attack.
The team's top scorer, Benjamin Mgunga-Kimpioka, with six goals in 16 league appearances, is anticipated to retain his place as part of the midfield quartet for this encounter.
Dundee United, meanwhile, are only dealing with the absence of one player, as Craig Sibbald remains out with a groin injury that has kept him sidelined since October.
Sam Dalby, with an impressive tally of eight goals in 14 league games, is set to lead the attack once again, supported by the creative presence of Miller Thomson.
St Johnstone possible starting lineup:
Rae; Raymond, Sanders, Mikulic, Essel; Wright, Holt, Sprangler, Mbunga-Kimpioka; Sidibeh, Kirk
Dundee United possible starting lineup:
Walton; Ferry, Holt, Gallagher, Strain; Fotheringham, Stephenson, Sevelj, Middleton; Thomson; Dalby
We say: St Johnstone 0-1 Dundee United
When the league's worst home side faces off against the third-worst away side, few would anticipate a spectacle – however, we still back the visitors to edge this encounter, given their comparatively higher level of performance this season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
![Stuart Kettlewell file photo of Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell, who is looking to tie down the majority of his squad before pre-season as he revealed every player knows where they stand ahead of Sunday s final game - 22/04/2023 [on July 26, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/11/29/1x1.gif?w=1&h=1 "Stuart Kettlewell file photo of Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell, who is looking to tie down the majority of his squad before pre-season as he revealed every player knows where they stand ahead of Sunday s final game - 22/04/2023 [on July 26, 2024]")
