Preview: Aberdeen vs. Dundee United - prediction, team news, lineups

Aberdeen will welcome Dundee United in their first game of the new year, with the hosts currently on a six-match unbeaten run in the league.

United, meanwhile, will be hoping to bounce back from their 3-0 defeat against Celtic on Wednesday, having suffered their eighth league loss of the campaign.

Match preview

Aberdeen have experienced an impressive season thus far, registering 11 league wins, while suffering just three defeats in their opening 19 matches.

This means that Derek McInnes's men currently sit third in the Scottish Premiership, just five points behind Celtic who are set to take on current leaders Rangers this weekend.

Their latest result witnessed a 2-1 triumph against St Johnstone, with the hosts able to come back from 1-0 down - featuring goals from Sam Cosgrove and Ash Taylor, before Callum Hendry was sent off in the final minute of the game.

Their home form in particular has been superb this term - winning eight of their last 10 appearances at Pittodrie, scoring 24 goals in the process.

In fact, their last home defeat came back in September, when the hosts suffered a shock 3-0 loss against Motherwell during the early stages of the season.

On the other hand, newly-promoted Dundee United have also endured a fairly impressive start to the 2020-21 season, sitting in fifth place as they head into this weekend's fixture.

However, Micky Mellon's men are currently going through a rough patch, having secured just one win out of their previous six league matches.

As previously mentioned, their latest defeat saw a 3-0 loss against high-flying Celtic, featuring goals from Ismaila Soro, David Turnbull and Odsonne Edouard.

It is also worth noting that their away form has been hugely disappointing this season, having picked up just one win in their previous 10 away games in the league.

The last meeting between the two sides ended in a 0-0 draw back in October, yet Aberdeen currently possess the better record - gaining four wins in their previous five encounters.

Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form: WDWWDD Aberdeen form (all competitions): WDWWDL

Dundee United Scottish Premiership form: LDWDLL

Team News

McInnes will be without Dylan McGeouch for Saturday's clash, with Michael Devlin also ruled out with an ankle injury.

Marley Watkins is currently nursing a hamstring problem, leaving the Scottish coach with limited options for the weekend.

However, Ross McCrorie should find his way back into the starting XI after serving his suspension, with the midfielder missing out in their latest win over St Johnstone.

For United, they only have two injury concerns for the match against Aberdeen, including long-term absentee Declan Glass.

Logan Chalmers is also expected to miss the game, however the winger should return to action over the next few weeks.

Aberdeen possible starting lineup: Lewis; Hoban, Taylor, Considine; Kennedy, Ferguson, McCrorie, Hayes; Hedges; Main, Cosgrove

Dundee United possible starting lineup: Siegrist; Smith, Connolly, Reynolds, Robson; McMullan, Butcher, Fuchs, Bolton; Shankland, McNulty

We say: Aberdeen 1-0 Dundee United

Although United are just two places behind Aberdeen in the table, their recent form suggests they will not be able to pick up a win this Saturday. The hosts should have enough quality to secure the three points, however it may be a close encounter between the two teams.

Top betting tip

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