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Sports Mole previews Thursday's Conference League clash between Dundee United and UNA Strassen, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Dundee United and UNA Strassen will get their Conference League qualifying campaigns underway on Thursday when they meet in the first leg of their second qualifying round tie. 

The hosts are aiming to qualify for the league phase the first time after being eliminated in the third qualifying round in 2022-23, while the visitors were defeated in the first qualifying round last season.

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Match preview

Dundee United finished fourth in the Scottish Premiership in 2021-22, earning them their first chance to compete in the Conference League in 2022-23 as they entered the qualifying rounds.

However, the Tangerines suffered an extremely disappointing 2022-23 campaign, being eliminated in the third qualifying round of the Conference League and being relegated from the Scottish Premiership. 

Jim Goodwin was able to lead Dundee Utd to their immediate return to the top flight, and a successful first campaign back in the Premiership saw the Tangerines finish fourth in the standings - earning another shot at Conference League qualification. 

Despite their impressive season, Dundee Utd had a rather miserable end to the campaign, losing four of their five post-split fixtures - a poor run of form that continued into their pre-season friendlies.

The Tangerines initially beat Brechin City 3-0 in their opening friendly match, but three draws and one defeat followed, leaving them with just two wins in their last 10 games across all competitions heading into this one.

Goodwin will be looking for his side to snap that streak with a victory in their first competitive match of the new campaign, securing an advantage to take into the second-leg in the process.

Dundee Utd may fancy their chances of achieving exactly that, as UNA Strassen enter into the clash as the major underdogs. 

UNA Strassen earned their chance of Conference League qualification thanks to a superb second-placed Luxembourg National Division finish last term - their highest ever in the top-flight. 

However, a frustrating pre-season has seen UNA Strassen fail to win any of their four friendly fixtures, leaving them truly out of form heading into their opening match of the 2025-26 season. 

Thursday's visitors are unlikely to change that winless streak against Dundee Utd, as a lack of resources in comparison to their Scottish opponents certainly cast them as the outsiders - with a contrast in quality between the two sides.

Dundee United form (all competitions):

UNA Strassen form (all competitions):

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Team News

Dundee Utd's top scorer last season, Sam Dalby, left the club after the end of his loan deal, meaning new signing Zac Sapsford could get his competitive debut on Thursday. 

Ross Graham has been named as club captain ahead of the new campaign, but the central defender will be absent on Thursday due to a suspected hamstring injury sustained in pre-season, while Jort van der Sande is also out with an injury.

As for UNA Strassen, Denis Schutte is not expected to feature due to an ongoing injury problem, while the remainder of the squad should be available for selection. 

A series of new signings could make their debuts for the club on Thursday, with the likes of Tim Hall, Benjamin Romeyns, Ricardo Delgado, Alen Agovic and David Dadashev all in contention.

Dundee United possible starting lineup:

Kucherenko; Strain, Esselink, Iovu, Keresztes; Naamo, Sibbald, Camara, Ahmed; Trapanovski, Sapsford

UNA Strassen possible starting lineup:

Garrido; A Agovic, Hall, Delgado, Myre; Reves, Dadashev, Vova, E Agovic; Romeyns, Perez

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We say: Dundee United 4-0 UNA Strassen

 

Dundee United are the overwhelming favourites to record a significant victory in this first-leg meeting, and with their home fans behind them in this first game of the season, we expect a comfortable win for the Tangerines.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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