Dundee United will look to continue their push for a top-six finish in the Scottish Premiership as they travel to Dingwall to take on Ross County on Sunday afternoon live on Premier Sports.
Dundee United have had two weeks to stew over their first derby defeat at home in 21 years, as they were deservedly beaten 2-4 by Dundee on an afternoon where our man Mark saw all three of his selections land.
Jim Goodwin’s side have now lost five of their last seven Premiership matches (W1-D1-L5) and seven of their past 10 (W2-D1-L7), seeing them drop down to fifth in the table, three points behind third-placed Hibs, but also only three points clear of seventh-placed Motherwell.
Ross County also headed into the international break off the back of a defeat, as they were comfortably beaten 2-0 at Tynecastle against resurgent Hearts.
That result means they are now four points adrift of sixth-placed Hearts but also only four points clear of Dundee, who occupy the relegation playoff position.
Don Cowie will be glad to see his side back on home soil, where they have won back-to-back games against Kilmarnock and Dundee, with their only defeat in their last five at their Dingwall base coming against champions Celtic.
How the bookies view it: tough one to call
Despite winning just two of their last 10 Premiership contests, BoyleSports make Dundee United marginal 6/4 favourites to leave Dingwall with all three points.
The same firm has Ross County 13/8 to make it three consecutive home wins, whilst a draw is 21/10.
Head to head: Tangerines going for three unbeaten
Dundee United were comfortable 3-0 winners in their last meeting at Tannadice in November.
Ronan Hale did score a stoppage-time equaliser for County when the sides last met at Dingwall way back in August.
Players to watch: Dalby to deliver once again?
By some distance, Sam Dalby is Dundee United’s leading scorer this season, with the on-loan Wrexham forward banging in 13 goals, with one of those coming when the sides last faced off in November.
Ronan Hale is County’s leading scorer with eight in the Premiership this season, with the Irishman bagging a stoppage-time equaliser when these two last met at Dingwall.
Predicted line-ups:
Ross County could be once again without the injured Will Nightingale, Ryan Leak and Michee Efete.
Dundee United will be without defender Emmanuel Adegboyega following his red card in their Derby defeat with Dundee before the international break, whilst Luca Stephenson went off injured after just 17 minutes in that match.
Ross County: Amissah, Campbell, Lopata, Tomkinson, Randall, Wright, Kenneh, Nisbet, Harmon, Chilvers, Phillips
Dundee United: Walton, Graham, Gallagher, Strain, Ferry, Trapanovski, Stephenson, Middleton, Sevelj, Campbell, Dalby
Anything else catch the eye?
After seeing just five goals scored across their opening three Premiership encounters on home soil this season, County’s next 12 have averaged 3.08 goals per game, with Over 2.5 Goals landing in nine (75%) of them.
Nine of those 12 matches have also produced goals at both ends, meaning there’s a decent chance we could see goals at Dingwall on Sunday.
Dundee United’s last three matches have finished 2-4, 2-2 and 1-3, so backing Both Teams to Score at 10/11 and Over 2.5 Goals at 6/5 with BoyleSports is my preferred way to go in what is hopefully a watchable game on Sunday.
This Scottish Premiership match between Ross County and Dundee United will be played on and kick off at 14:30. Check below for our tipsters best Ross County vs Dundee United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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