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

St Mirren will welcome Dundee United to the SMISA Stadium on Saturday afternoon in the Scottish Premiership, with both aiming to snap their ongoing losing streaks.

The hosts are sixth in the standings with 27 points from their 22 games played, while the visitors are third in the table with 34 points from their 22 matches.

Match preview

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Other than an anomalous drop to a ninth-placed finish in 2021-22, St Mirren have consistently climbed up the Scottish Premiership standings since earning promotion back to the top flight by lifting the Scottish Championship title in 2017-18.

They placed 11th in 2018-19, beating Dundee United in the relegation playoff, followed by climbing to ninth in 2019-20, seventh in 2020-21, sixth in 2022-23 and, most recently, fifth in 2023-24.

Looking to maintain or potentially improve upon their position in the top flight once again this season, Stephen Robinson's side endured a miserable opening to the campaign, winning just two of their first 10 league fixtures, alongside six losses and two draws.

That run also saw the Saints crash out of the Conference League in the third qualifying round and exit from the Scottish League Cup in the second round, but they have been massively improved in the matches since.

A superb 3-1 win against Rangers brought an end to a four-game losing run and sparked the beginning of St Mirren securing six wins and one draw from nine matches.

However, they have since fallen to three consecutive losses heading into this one, allowing those below them to close the gap, with four teams directly below them in with a chance of leapfrogging the Saints depending on this weekend's results.

Their opponents, Dundee United, have similarly faltered in their recent matches, falling to back-to-back defeats in the Scottish Premiership for only the second time this campaign.

Jim Goodwin's men will still be unbelievably pleased with how their season has played out thus far, with the Tangerines sitting third in the table in their first season back in the top flight after lifting the Scottish Championship title last year.

Dundee Utd have earned 34 points from nine wins, seven draws, and six losses in 22 matches, placing them six points behind second-placed Rangers, who have two games in hand, and three points ahead of fifth-placed Motherwell.

They will be heading into this one hoping to return to winning ways and further strengthen their position in the top half of the table, and the visitors will be confident given they have defeated St Mirren in all of the last three meetings.

Team News

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Charles Dunne is unlikely to feature for St Mirren until later this month due to a hamstring injury that has ruled the defender out of action since early November.

Toyosi Olusanya may also miss out for the hosts after coming off just after the hour mark in the defeat to Celtic due to an injury concern, meaning Jonah Ayunga may come into the starting team.

Zac Hemming is expected to remain in the starting team for St Mirren after former goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe's loan from Brentford came to an end at the beginning of the month.

As for Dundee Utd, Craig Sibbald (groin) and Louis Moult (shoulder) are both unavailable for selection due to ongoing injury issues, with both set to return later this month.

After a disappointing 2-0 loss to Celtic in their last match, where Dundee Utd delivered an underwhelming performance, Goodwin may make several changes to the starting side, with Sam Dalby the most notable player likely to return.

St Mirren possible starting lineup: Hemming; Fraser, Gogic, Taylor; Bwomono, Phillips, Boyd-Munce, O'Hara, Tanser; Kiltie; Ayunga

Dundee United possible starting lineup: Walton; Adegboyega, Gallagher, Graham, Ferry; Fotheringham, Stephenson, Sevelj, Middleton; Thomson, Dalby

We say: St Mirren 1-2 Dundee United

Both teams have been struggling heading into this match, but the visitors have enjoyed this fixture in recent times, winning all of the last three meetings, and we expect that trend to continue with a Dundee Utd win here.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.