It’s been a terrific season to date for Dundee United having reached the final of the Scottish League Cup, quarter finals of the Scottish Cup and are still very much in with a shout of finishing second. They trail the current occupants of that position, Aberdeen, by nine points but they do have a game in hand. Their hopes suffered a setback when going down by the odd goal in a five goal thriller away to Kilmarnock last week so will be hoping to bounce back are home to St Johnstone in a Tayside derby.
Defeat to Celtic last week – as narrow as it was – means St Johnstone have not won any of their last five games in all competitions, and only one win in their last eight. They played well for much of the game against the Champions, especially in the second half, but they once again failed to convert several good chances which ultimately proved the difference. They not sit outside the top six but they do have a game in hand, their main goal, however, is to win their first game since the middle of January.
The loss of Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven to Celtic in the January transfer window is no doubt going to affect United in the short term, such was their quality. The positive for Jackie McNamara, though, is he has plenty of young players who will relish an opportunity to stake their claim to fill those voids. Motivation certainly won’t be a problem either for the reasons outlined earlier, especially as both of their upcoming cup games are against Celtic.
I mentioned St Johnstone’s struggles in an attacking sense ahead of their match last weekend and that is further illustrated when you consider they have score less than half the number of goals that their opponents this weekend have scored. Their tally away from home is even more dismal having scored just eight goals in 12 away games. It will have to improve if they are to finish in the top half of the table.
Dundee United may have lost a couple of key players but they are still a very good side in this league and I expect them to finish in the top three come the end of the season. Their home record is also very good having won nine and drawn one of 11 at Tannadice. St Johnstone are decent enough but I expect them to come up short here, prolonging their miserable run.
Dundee United 17/20 @ Paddypower
