Scottish Premier League
Dundee United v St Mirren
Scottish football as been in the news this week with the financial crisis at Rangers but that will be of little interest for Dundee United or St Mirren when they clash tomorrow at Tannadice.
Peter Houston has had a successful time in his two and a half years since taking over from Craig Levein but still had to suffer calls for his head at the start of this season when his United side started slowly. Even now they remain inconsistent but the fans will be buoyed by their recent 2-0 victory over the aforementioned Rangers at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup. They followed that up with a very comfortable 5-1 success away to St Johnstone last weekend. It was a game which showcased the talents of the likes of Johnny Russell and Gary Mackay Steven who have been spoke of very highly this season. The win was their third in five games in all competitions so it may just be that they have turned the corner and are starting to find a little more consistency. Their home record is poor by their recent standards as they have won just three times from their first 12 games. It’s a statistic which will infuriate Houston as they have been strong at home in years gone by.
St Mirren have transformed their style of play this season under Danny Lennon. They were a team who were associated as being slightly negative and content to sit in and hope for the best basically. The transformation, however, has seen them become a lot more attacking and their nature is much more positive. This has been helped, in no small measure, to the fact they have been able to attract a better quality of player. Steven Thompson and Paul McGowan have been big players for the Paisley side already and are a threat for most defences in the league. Tomorrow’s match will be their third in a week having drawn at home to Motherwell last Saturday in the league before securing their place in the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup after getting the better of Ross County in a replay. That win was bigger than it appears as Ross County are not only runaway leaders of the First division, but they have had a habit of being giant killers in recent seasons so the Buddies impressed by coming away with the victory.
Both sides are capable of playing some lovely football and their managers will want them to go for it so it has the makings of an attractive game. Neither side are solid defensively and there could be value in backing the Overs in this game but I think United have turned a corner and their impressive form of late can continue tomorrow.
My Selection: Dundee United to beat St Mirren
Best odds available: 5/6 available with William Hill
