Two teams looking to end their losing streaks will face off on Saturday afternoon as Dundee United host Motherwell at Tannadice Park in the Scottish Premiership.
The hosts have lost all of their last four matches across all competitions, while the visitors have suffered defeat in their last five outings across all competitions.
Match preview
![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
Dundee Utd suffered a shock relegation from the Scottish Premiership in 2022-23 but were able to quickly bounce back into the top division as they lifted the Scottish Championship title last season.
Jim Goodwin's men have made a fantastic impact back at the top level of Scottish football, currently sitting fourth in the table after 26 games played, but their form has taken a worrying turn for the worse in recent weeks.
Goodwin, in charge since March 2023, led the Tangerines to an impressive nine wins, seven draws and just four defeats in their first 20 league outings, results that secured them third in the table.
However, Dundee Utd have stumbled since the turn of the year, now heading into Saturday's matchup having secured only one win from their last seven outings, suffering six defeats in that time.
Those defeats, including four successive losses coming into this one, have seen Dundee Utd crash out of the Scottish FA Cup and fall to fourth in the table, while the Tangerines also now hold just a six point lead over eighth-placed Motherwell.
That leaves this as a crucial match for Dundee Utd, with a victory strengthening their place in the top six, while a defeat to the Steelmen would see their lead halved to just three points.
Motherwell have faced similar struggles in recent weeks, enduring five consecutive defeats across all competitions and also parting ways with manager Stuart Kettlewell during that period.
Kettlewell, who had been in charge since February 2023, made the shock decision to leave the club after facing abuse following back-to-back losses against St Johnstone, the bottom ranked club in the Scottish Premiership.
Stephen Frail has taken charge on an interim basis while the Steelmen continue searching for their new permanent boss, but the caretaker manager has suffered losses to Celtic (3-1) and Ross County (3-0), resulting in Motherwell slipping out of the top six.
With Motherwell aiming to avoid falling further away from the top six and down toward the relegation zone, sitting just four points above 11th-placed Dundee, Frail will be desperate for his men to secure all three points here.
Team News
© Imago
Dundee Utd will remain without Craig Sibbald for this match due to a groin injury that has kept him out of the side since October, though the midfielder is set to return later this month.
Emmanuel Adegboyega is also a doubt for the Tangerines after coming off with an injury in their recent defeat to Celtic, meaning Ryan Strain may start in his place.
Having failed to score in either of their last two matches, Goodwin will be hoping that top scorer Sam Dalby, who has netted 11 times in the league, can get back amongst the goals here.
Motherwell are dealing with several injury issues heading into this one, including Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Archie Mair, Aston Oxborough, Jack Vale, Paul McGinn, Ross Callachan, Steve Seddon and Zach Robinson.
While the Steelmen suffered a 3-0 defeat to Ross County last time out, they were the dominant side throughout the match, meaning Frail may decide to name a similar side.
Dundee United possible starting lineup:
Walton; Strain, Gallagher, Graham, Stephenson; Docherty, Sevelj; Fotheringham, Campbell, Middleton; Dalby
Motherwell possible starting lineup:
Balcombe; O'Donnell, Gordon, Balmer; Sparrow, Slattery, Halliday, Miller, Thompson; Armstrong, Watt
We say: Dundee United 1-1 Motherwell
Both sides are experiencing difficult periods and will be eager to secure the win here, leading us to expect a narrow encounter that we believe will end all square.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
