Two clubs chasing fourth place in the table clash at Tannadice when Dundee United entertain Kilmarnock in an early kick-off this weekend. The Tangerines currently hold that position and have a five-point lead over their fifth-placed visitors. Both suffered heavy losses at home in midweek to the two Glasgow sides and will see this fixture as an ideal opportunity to bounce back and return to the winning trail.
Vital Quotes:
“The games against Killie this season have been crackers,” Dundee United boss Peter Houston told BBC Scotland. “The one at Tannadice earlier in the season was one of the best games I have been involved in. Killie have lost Connor Sammon but still have guys like Eremenko in their side. They are great going forward and I’m expecting another cracking game this time. It will be a very close and even game and there will be goals, I am confident about that.”
“Finishing fourth would be a big achievement because last season we were battling relegation,” Kilmarnock striker David Da Silva admitted to BBC Scotland. “No-one was expecting us to be so high this season. Even fifth is a good finish, but we will try to finish as high as possible.”
Dundee United Team News:
Weakened Dundee United have four players suspended in midfielder Morgaro Gomis and defenders Sean Dillon, Mihael Kovacevic and Paul Dixon. The experienced Darren Dods is also still unavailable but at least full-back Keith Watson returns from an ankle injury.
Dundee United (from): Pernis, Kenneth, Van der Meulen, Watson, Severin, Douglas, Buaben, Conway, D. Robertson, S. Robertson, Swanson, Daly, Shala, Russell, Goodwillie, Dow, Hill, Banks
Player to watch: Dusan Pernis
Always an important figure but perhaps even more so with so many defenders ruled out.
Kilmarnock Team News:
Mohamadou Sissoko is missing for the visitors in addition to midfielders Scott Evans and Mehdi Taouil. But winger James Dayton returns from a cruciate injury while defender Frazer Wright has already been ruled out for the rest of the campaign.
Kilmarnock (from): Jaakkola, Clancy, Hamill, O’Leary, Pascali, Eremenko, Fowler, Bryson, Mendes Silva, Kelly, Hay, Gros, Agard, Berntsson, Letheren, Aubameyang, Dayton, Rui Miguel
Player to watch: Alexei Eremenko
Finnish midfielder and regularly a leading performer for the visitors.
Match Facts & Stats
Both of these two sides were on the end of 4-0 hammerings at home in midweek. The eight-man Terrors were humbled by current SPL leaders Rangers before Kilmarnock suffered a similar fate against Glasgow rivals Celtic the following evening.
Next Fixtures:
Dundee United – Celtic (A); Kilmarnock – Hearts (H)
