BOTH Dundee United and Partick Thistle will be looking to bounce back from opening day setbacks in the Scottish League Cup when the pair go toe-to-toe at Tannadice on Tuesday night.
The Terrors kicked-off their campaign by slumping to a chastening 1-0 defeat at SPFL new-boys The Spartans on Saturday.
That means group favourites United are currently propping up the section, so much so that Group B already appears to have been blown wide open in the race for qualification
As such, Jim Goodwin and Co will know there is little room for error in the coming games, starting with fellow championship promotion hopefuls Partick Thistle.
After sinking to an agonising defeat in the Scottish Premiership play-off last month, Kris Doolan's side returned to action with a whimper when playing out a 1-1 draw at Peterhead on Saturday.
Having said that, Partick did pocket a bonus point via the subsequent penalty shootout, so a positive result here would get them one step closer to securing a place in the last 16.
Outright Betting
Despite losing each of their last six competitive contests, Dundee United enter their maiden home match of the season as 11/10 (William Hill).
Partick Thistle, who have avoided defeat in 18 of their 20 matches under Kris Doolan's watch, make the trip to Tannadice as 2/1 (BetVictor) underdogs while the draw is an unfancied 11/4 (Bet 365).
Betting Angles
Dundee United are worthy favourites here but I think there's good reason to believe that the men from Maryhill can keep this cup tie competitive.
I'll therefore head to the Bet Builder market and bundle up Both Teams to Score and Partick Thistle with a + 2 start on the handicap at 4/5 (William Hill).
As already alluded to, the Jags have improved dramatically as an attacking force since Kris Doolan took charge, and that is evidenced by the fact that they have scored in each of their last 13 competitive contests.
Granted, the Firhill outfit will be moving forward without some key names following their Highland heartbreak, but they should still be capable of carving out a few openings when faced with a Dundee United side whose confidence still appears to be fragile following their relegation from the top-flight.
That being said, Thistle's squad looks worryingly threadbare at present, and that can be attributed to their backline being breached by Peterhead last time out.
With all that in mind, I'll back both teams to oblige in the City of Discovery, but to round off the 4/5 (William Hill) Bet Builder, I'm prepared to get a Patrick side, whose attacking intensity is their best form of defence, onside with a + 2 start on the handicap.
One player who looks overpriced to find the back of the net is Aidan Fitzpatrick who can be backed at 6/1 (Ladbrokes) in the anytime goalscorer market.
Fitzpatrick, who scored in both legs of the Scottish Premiership promotion playoff final, is capable of producing real moments of magic and the 6/1 (Ladbrokes) on the Thistle winger to notch here looks a lovely price.
This Scottish League Cup match between Dundee United and Partick Thistle will be played on Jul 18, 2023 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Dundee United vs Partick Thistle prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.