MX23RW : Friday, November 8 11:35:01| >> :120:18289:18289:
[monks data]
Dundee United
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 15
Nov 21, 2020 at 3pm UK
Tannadice Park
Hamilton logo

Dundee Utd
2 - 1
Hamilton

Clark (76', 80')
Butcher (45+1'), Fuchs (59'), Clark (86')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Callachan (65')
Martin (25'), Odofin (27'), Easton (90')

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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Scottish Premiership clash between Dundee United and Hamilton Academical, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Hamilton Academical travel to Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday hoping to win their first league game since September and move off the bottom of the table.

Meanwhile, Dundee United are looking to secure three points at Tannadice Park as they aim to cut the seven-point gap between themselves and fourth place.


Match preview

Dundee United boss Micky Mellon pictured on August 22, 2020© Reuters

Dundee United have looked stronger in recent weeks, having lost only one of their last seven league games and are unbeaten in four since their 2-1 home defeat to Livingston at the beginning of October.

The Tangerines have also made themselves difficult to break down, conceding only two goals in their last seven matches in all competitions, keeping five clean sheets in the process.

However, Micky Mellon's side have struggled to convert chances at the other end of the pitch, scoring only three goals in their last seven matches in all competitions and scoring just 10 league goals so far – only St Mirren and Ross County have scored fewer.

Mellon has found a way to shore up his backline but now needs his attacking players to find the back of the net if they are to continue their good run of form and close the gap to Hibernian in fourth spot.

Dundee United are winless in five Scottish Premiership games against Hamilton, since a 1-0 win in April 2015, but claiming three points on Saturday would end that record, securing their fifth league victory of the campaign.

Hamilton Academical manager Brian Rice pictured in August 2020© Reuters

Hamilton's disappointing campaign went from bad to worse before the international break, as they were thrashed 8-0 by table toppers Rangers in their last league match.

The Accies sit rock bottom of the table having lost each of their last four league games, conceding 20 goals in those defeats, an average of five per match.

Hamilton's starting lineups have been the youngest of all sides in this season's Scottish Premiership, with an average age of 24 years and 93 days. Brian Rice is aware of the task ahead with his youthful side and will be hoping that their fortunes can turn around quickly.

Rice's men have not lost five league fixtures in succession since April 2018 – when they suffered six defeats in a row – but will be hoping that they can replicate their recent successes at Tannadice and end this terrible run of form.

The Accies have won both of their last two Scottish Premiership away games at Dundee United – although this is their first such visit since April 2016 – and six of their seven points this campaign have come away from home.

Victory at the weekend would see them move off the bottom of the table, leapfrogging St Mirren in 11th place.

Dundee United Scottish Premiership form: DLDDWD
Dundee United form (all competitions): WDDWDW

Hamilton Academical Scottish Premiership form: LDLLLL
Hamilton Academical form (all competitions): WLLLLW


Team News

Celtic's Ryan Christie in Scottish Premiership action with Hamilton Academical's Shaun Want on August 3, 2020© Reuters

Dundee United forward Logan Chalmers remains the only player out of contention for the home side, although the 20-year-old could be back in training by the end of the month.

Mark Connolly could be brought into the starting lineup as one of three central defenders replacing Liam Smith.

Striker Lawrence Shankland is likely to partner Nicky Clark up front, despite only scoring two goals in all competitions this campaign.

Hamilton midfielder Lewis Smith, who had recently returned to the side after 10 weeks out injured, has been ruled out of the visit to Tannadice after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring injury during the 2-1 loss to Stranraer in the Scottish League Cup.

Accies trio David Templeton (groin), Charlie Trafford (broken ankle) and Jamie Hamilton (shin splints) also remain sidelined.

Hamilton could revert back to a four-man defence with Shaun Want partnering the ever-present Hakeem Odoffin.

Ronan Hughes, who has scored twice in four appearances for Hamilton, could start on the left side of midfield.

Dundee United possible starting lineup:
Siegrist; Connolly, Edwards, Reynolds; Bolton, Butcher, Harkes, Pawlett, Robson; Clark, Shankland

Hamilton Academical possible starting lineup:
Fulton; Hodson, Odoffin, Want, McMann; Callachan, Martin, Collar, Hughes; Ogkmpoe, Moyo


SM words green background

We say: Dundee United 2-1 Hamilton Academical

Despite the home side's struggles to score goals, the Tangerines have shown at times this campaign that they can convert against weaker opposition. Hamilton are desperate to end their poor run of form and are sure to put up a fight, but that may not be enough to secure any points this weekend.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals 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.Under 3.5:data



ID:422912:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect8599:

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Dundee United win with a probability of 59.53%. A draw had a probability of 22.7% and a win for Hamilton Academical had a probability of 17.78%.

The most likely scoreline for a Dundee United win was 1-0 with a probability of 12.3%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-0 (11.16%) and 2-1 (9.79%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (10.78%), while for a Hamilton Academical win it was 0-1 (5.94%). The actual scoreline of 2-1 was predicted with a 9.8% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Dundee United would win this match.


Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

Who will win Saturday's Scottish Premiership clash between Dundee United and Hamilton Academical?

Dundee United
69.0%
Draw
24.1%
Hamilton Academical
6.9%
58
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Hamilton Academical manager Brian Rice pictured in August 2020
Read Next:
Brian Rice keen to add "two or three" new players to Hamilton squad
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Bengals
34-35
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic109102932628
2Aberdeen109102091128
3RangersRangers10613158719
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd114431513216
5Motherwell105141313016
6Dundee113351720-312
7St Mirren123361521-612
8Kilmarnock113351523-812
9Ross County122641018-812
10St Johnstone123181525-1010
11Hearts122371419-59
12Hibernian111551016-68


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!