Aberdeen vs Dundee United
1 August 1500hrs
Football – Scotland – Premiership
Pick Aberdeen
Bookmaker Betvictor
Odds: 3/4 odds taken 2000 GMT, Friday 30 July
Aberdeen secured their passage into the next round of the Europa Conference League in midweek and will be hoping to start their league campaign with a win over Dundee United.
Table of Contents
Aberdeen Preview – Will Dons make it a winning start to their league campaign?
Steven Glass replaced Derek McInnes as boss of Aberdeen earlier this year and although he couldn’t guide to them to third place in the league, the time in place has been invaluable to size up the situation and get a squad of players ready to go for the start of this campaign. There has been a significant overhaul of the squad with some exciting new additions. Scott Brown has arrived and assumed the captaincy – his experience and leadership could be a real asset for the Dons. Jay Emmanuel Thomas and Christian Ramirez will be the two main provider of goals whilst retaining Lewis Ferguson means they have a threat from midfield.
The squad looks fresher and more dynamic than it has done for a couple of years and Glass is also implementing a new more vibrant style.
Aberdeen’s season started with what appeared to be a tough European tie against Hacken. The new-look Dons wasted no time by dismantling their Swedish opponents at Pittodrie in the first leg, winning 5-1. It made the return game somewhat redundant and although they went down 2-0 they are safely through to the next round and will face Breidablik from Iceland.
Qualification to the group stage of the European competition is a big objective for Aberdeen this season as is ensuring they finish no worse than third in the Scottish Premiership.
Dundee United Preview – Can Dundee United take their winning league cup form into Premiership action?
Dundee United consolidated their position in the Scottish Premiership last season following winning promotion but this again looks to be another campaign where their main aim is just to stay in the league. Micky Mellon has departed to Morecambe and his replacement, Thomas Courts, is embarking on his first senior head coaching role.
There’s also been little in the way of squad reinforcements. Charlie Mulgrew will add quality and experience as well as excellent set-piece delivery but for a team who struggled for goals last season it’s difficult to tell where they are going to improve on that this time around.
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Three of United’s four League Cup ties have been won by a score of 1-0 (against Kelty Hearts, Arbroath and East Fife). The one exception was a 6-1 thumping of League Two outfit Elgin City. Striker Lawrence Shankland got two goals in that game and three in the group stage overall. He’s out of contract and at the end of this season and could yet move before the end of the transfer window.
Shankland and his United team-mates will return to his former club Ayr United in the next round of the League Cup. That game will take place in the middle of August.
Aberdeen vs Dundee United Betting Advice
Aberdeen have to contend with playing just a couple of days after their European travels which is not ideal but it is something they are used to at this stage of the season. Dundee United will be match fit following their participation in the group stage of the League Cup but it remains to be seen what sort of standard this squad are at.
United had the upper hand in games between the two last season. They were unbeaten in four games and won 3-0 here on their last visit in the Scottish Cup.
Key Facts – Aberdeen vs Dundee United Betting Tip
- Aberdeen qualified for the next round of the Europa Conference League after defeating Hacken 5-3 on aggregate
- Dundee United won all four of their League Cup matches to top their section
- The Dons failed to beat Dundee United in four meetings last season (two defeats and two draws)
Aberdeen look much more fluid under Glass and this is a good starting point. Take them to get three points at the first time of asking.
Best Betting Odds for Aberdeen vs Dundee United
