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

Hamilton Academical travel to Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday hoping to win their first league game since September and move off the bottom of the table.

Meanwhile, Dundee United are looking to secure three points at Tannadice Park as they aim to cut the seven-point gap between themselves and fourth place.

Match preview

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Dundee United have looked stronger in recent weeks, having lost only one of their last seven league games and are unbeaten in four since their 2-1 home defeat to Livingston at the beginning of October.

The Tangerines have also made themselves difficult to break down, conceding only two goals in their last seven matches in all competitions, keeping five clean sheets in the process.

However, Micky Mellon's side have struggled to convert chances at the other end of the pitch, scoring only three goals in their last seven matches in all competitions and scoring just 10 league goals so far – only St Mirren and Ross County have scored fewer.

Mellon has found a way to shore up his backline but now needs his attacking players to find the back of the net if they are to continue their good run of form and close the gap to Hibernian in fourth spot.

Dundee United are winless in five Scottish Premiership games against Hamilton, since a 1-0 win in April 2015, but claiming three points on Saturday would end that record, securing their fifth league victory of the campaign.

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Hamilton's disappointing campaign went from bad to worse before the international break, as they were thrashed 8-0 by table toppers Rangers in their last league match.

The Accies sit rock bottom of the table having lost each of their last four league games, conceding 20 goals in those defeats, an average of five per match.

Hamilton's starting lineups have been the youngest of all sides in this season's Scottish Premiership, with an average age of 24 years and 93 days. Brian Rice is aware of the task ahead with his youthful side and will be hoping that their fortunes can turn around quickly.

Rice's men have not lost five league fixtures in succession since April 2018 – when they suffered six defeats in a row – but will be hoping that they can replicate their recent successes at Tannadice and end this terrible run of form.

The Accies have won both of their last two Scottish Premiership away games at Dundee United – although this is their first such visit since April 2016 – and six of their seven points this campaign have come away from home.

Victory at the weekend would see them move off the bottom of the table, leapfrogging St Mirren in 11th place.

Dundee United Scottish Premiership form: DLDDWD Dundee United form (all competitions): WDDWDW

Hamilton Academical Scottish Premiership form: LDLLLL Hamilton Academical form (all competitions): WLLLLW

Team News

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Dundee United forward Logan Chalmers remains the only player out of contention for the home side, although the 20-year-old could be back in training by the end of the month.

Mark Connolly could be brought into the starting lineup as one of three central defenders replacing Liam Smith.

Striker Lawrence Shankland is likely to partner Nicky Clark up front, despite only scoring two goals in all competitions this campaign.

Hamilton midfielder Lewis Smith, who had recently returned to the side after 10 weeks out injured, has been ruled out of the visit to Tannadice after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring injury during the 2-1 loss to Stranraer in the Scottish League Cup.

Accies trio David Templeton (groin), Charlie Trafford (broken ankle) and Jamie Hamilton (shin splints) also remain sidelined.

Hamilton could revert back to a four-man defence with Shaun Want partnering the ever-present Hakeem Odoffin.

Ronan Hughes, who has scored twice in four appearances for Hamilton, could start on the left side of midfield.

Dundee United possible starting lineup: Siegrist; Connolly, Edwards, Reynolds; Bolton, Butcher, Harkes, Pawlett, Robson; Clark, Shankland

Hamilton Academical possible starting lineup: Fulton; Hodson, Odoffin, Want, McMann; Callachan, Martin, Collar, Hughes; Ogkmpoe, Moyo

We say: Dundee United 2-1 Hamilton Academical

Despite the home side's struggles to score goals, the Tangerines have shown at times this campaign that they can convert against weaker opposition. Hamilton are desperate to end their poor run of form and are sure to put up a fight, but that may not be enough to secure any points this weekend.

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