Preview: Falkirk vs Dundee United - prediction, team news, lineups

Falkirk and Dundee United will get their Scottish Premiership campaigns underway when they meet at the Falkirk Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts are set to compete in the top flight for the first time since 2009-10, while the visitors are heading into this campaign on the back of a fourth-placed finish last term.

Match preview

Falkirk have experienced a remarkable resurgence in recent years, securing back-to-back promotions as they won the Scottish League One title in 2023-24 and the Scottish Championship title in 2024-25.

Last term's second division triumph secured their return to the Scottish Premiership for this campaign, with Sunday's opening fixture marking Falkirk's first in the Scottish Premiership since last being relegated in 2009-10.

Despite a slightly rocky end to the 2024-25 season - winning two, drawing one and losing three of their last six fixtures - Falkirk were able to stabilise themselves during pre-season, recording one loss and three wins.

That form has continued into the start of the 2025-26 campaign, with the Bairns winning three and drawing one - going on to win on penalties - of their four Scottish League Cup group games, meaning they recorded a first-placed finish in Group A.

Now hoping to maintain that momentum with an opening day win in the Scottish Premiership, Falkirk will take on a Dundee Utd side that enjoyed a superb 2024-25 term.

The Tangerines suffered a shock relegation from the top flight in 2022-23, but Dundee Utd immediately secured their return to the Premiership by lifting the Championship title in 2023-24.

Jim Goodwin, in charge since March 2023, followed that title triumph up with a magnificent first year back in the first division, finishing fourth in the Scottish Premiership and securing their entry to the Conference League qualifying rounds.

The Tangerines started their 2025-26 season with back-to-back 1-0 wins over UNA Strassen in the second qualifying round of the Champions League, setting up a third round clash with Rapid Vienna.

Looking to both follow up last term's success and also continue their winning momentum into the first leg clash with the Austrian outfit, Dundee Utd will be looking to take all three points on Sunday.

While Dundee Utd do have the better record in this fixture in recent history, Falkirk have managed to win each of their last two meetings at their home ground.

Falkirk form (all competitions):

Dundee United form (all competitions):

Team News

Given Falkirk enjoyed a successful group stage campaign in the Scottish League Cup, John McGlynn is expected to field a similar starting team in their Scottish Premiership opener.

Dylan Tait scored four goals in three starts in Group A, and the midfielder is likely to start alongside Ethan Ross, Calvin Miller and Brian Graham in the front four.

As for Dundee Utd, having lost last term's top scorer Sam Dalby after the expiration of his loan deal, new signing Zac Sapsford - who scored in his competitive debut - is likely to lead the line this term.

The striker is likely to start alongside Kristijan Trapanovski and Ivan Dolcek in the front three, while Panutche Camara is expected to partner Craig Sibbald in the middle of the park.

Falkirk possible starting lineup:

Bain; Adams, Neilson, Henderson, McCann; Arfield, Spencer; Tait, Ross, Miller; Graham

Dundee United possible starting lineup:

Kucherenko; Iovu, Esselink, Keresztes; Sevelj, Sibbald, Camara, Ferry; Dolcek, Sapsford, Trapanovski

We say: Falkirk 1-2 Dundee United

While Falkirk have won their last two meetings with Dundee Utd, the Tangerines will be full of confidence as they take on the newly-promoted side as well as due to their own fourth-placed finish last term, leading us to expect an away win.

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