Two teams at opposite ends of the Scottish Premiership table will come together on Saturday evening when relegation battling Kilmarnock host high-flying Dundee United.
The hosts are 11th in the table with 25 points from their 24 league games, while the visitors are third in the standings with 37 points from their 24 matches.
Match preview
© Imago
Kilmarnock secured a superb fourth-placed finish in the Scottish Premiership in 2023-24, but they have failed to reach those same heights over halfway into this campaign.
After 24 league matches, Killie are currently 11th in the table with a disappointing 25 points, after recording just six wins, seven draws and 11 defeats - already more losses than the entirety of last term.
Derek McInnes's men began the season with just one win from their opening 13 matches across all competitions, a run that saw Killie crash out of qualifying for both the Europa League and Conference League.
They finally won their first Scottish Premiership game on matchday seven, sparking a run of three wins in four, but Kilmarnock have subsequently managed only three wins in their next 15 outings.
Killie are now heading into this one against Dundee Utd having failed to win any of their last four, suffering three losses and a draw in that time, leaving them desperately needing a win here.
However, Dundee Utd are the strong favourites to secure the victory given the fantastic season they are having, though their form has taken a turn for the worse in the past weeks.
The Tangerines secured their promotion back to the top flight by lifting the Scottish Championship title last year, and after 24 league fixtures they remarkably sit third in the table.
Jim Goodwin, in charge since March 2023, has guided his men to 10 wins, seven draws and seven defeats in their 24 league matches, leaving them with 37 points, 13 behind second-placed Rangers and holding a healthy seven-point advantage over seventh-placed St Mirren.
Goodwin may be slightly concerned by their recent form, though, with the Tangerines securing only one win from their last five outings, suffering four defeats in that stretch.
Team News
![Jim Goodwin (Manager) of Dundee United during the 2024/25 Pre Season Friendly match between Dundee United and Luton Town at CalForth Construction Arena, Tannadice Park, Scotland on 26 July 2024 [on August 2, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/31/jim-goodwin.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Jim Goodwin (Manager) of Dundee United during the 2024/25 Pre Season Friendly match between Dundee United and Luton Town at CalForth Construction Arena, Tannadice Park, Scotland on 26 July 2024 [on August 2, 2024]")
© Imago
The hosts will be without the services of Brad Lyons (hamstring), Innes Cameron (hamstring), Kyle Vassell (shin), Matthew Kennedy (back), Robbie McCrorie (cheekbone), Rory McKenzie (stomach) and Stuart Findlay (ankle) due to injury issues.
Despite suffering a defeat to Hearts in their last outing, their performance showed plenty of encouraging aspects, meaning McInnes may opt to name the same side here.
As for the visitors, Craig Sibbald is expected to be their only absentee due to injury, with the midfielder likely to be out of action until next month with a groin injury.
Dundee Utd's top scorer this season, Sam Dalby, brought an end to his four-game goalless run as he found the net against Rangers, and the striker will look to add to his goals tally in this one.
Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
O'Hara; Mayo, Wright, Deas; Ramsay, Polworth, Magennis, Murray, Ndaba; Wales, Watkins
Dundee United possible starting lineup:
Walton; Strain, Gallagher, Holt, Ferry; Fotheringham, Stephenson, Sevelj, Middleton; Dalby, Moult
We say: Kilmarnock 0-2 Dundee United
Both teams are heading into this one in disappointing form, but the visitors have shown their quality throughout the campaign, and we expect them to secure all three points here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
