SM
Palace vs. Arsenal: 1 hr 9 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
DU
Scottish League Cup | Group Stage
Jul 20, 2024 at 5.15pm UK
Tannadice Park
AU

Dundee Utd
2 - 1
Ayr

Babunski (17'), Forbes (68')
Fotheringham (88'), Thomson (90+2')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Rus (55')
McMann (67'), Tomlinson (82'), Rus (90+2')

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

:Headline: Preview: Dundee United vs. Ayr United - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Saturday's Scottish League Cup clash between Dundee United and Ayr United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

The action continues in Group B of the Scottish League Cup as Dundee United and Ayr United go head to head at Tannadice on Saturday afternoon.

Having failed to win any of the last seven meetings between the two sides, the Honest Men will head into the weekend looking to get one over the hosts and secure a second consecutive group victory.


Match preview

Dundee United got their League Cup campaign back on track as they picked up a dominant 3-0 victory over Stenhousemuir when the sides squared off at Tannadice on Tuesday.

Louis Moult and Declan Gallagher scored in an 11-minute spell to put the hosts in a commanding lead heading into the half-time break before Kristijan Trapanovski put the result beyond doubt with a 47th-minute strike.

This was a reaction that head coach Jim Goodwin would have wanted from his side after they suffered a somewhat disappointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of Falkirk FC in their cup opener on July 13.

Dundee United will now look to continue from where they left off last Tuesday as they look to close out the League Cup group stages on a high and gather momentum ahead of their return to the Premiership.

The Tangerines enjoyed a remarkable 2023-24 campaign as they picked up 23 wins and nine draws from their 36 games in the Championship to collect 75 points and clinch top spot, confirming their return to the top flight one year after going down.

Dundee United head into Saturday's clash on a run of four consecutive home victories and are unbeaten in each of their last six games at Tannadice, claiming five wins and one draw since February's 2-0 loss against Airdrieonians.

Ayr United, on the other hand, kicked off their quest for a first-ever League Cup title on Tuesday when they picked up a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Falkirk at Somerset Park.

After taking the load courtesy of Anton Dowds's fifth-minute effort, the Honest Men turned in a defensive show of class as they repelled John McGlynn's side to see out all three points.

This was in keeping with their strong display in pre-season, where Ayr went unbeaten in each of their four warm-up friendly matches, picking up three wins and one draw while scoring 12 goals and seven.

Scott Brown's men head into the new season off the back of a forgettable 2023-24 Championship campaign as they picked up just 44 points from 36 games to finish seventh in the table, just three points above the relegation zone.

While Ayr will be looking to build on Tuesday's result and make it two consecutive wins to start the season, they face the stern challenge of taking on an opposing side who have won each of their most recent five meetings and are unbeaten 12 of the last 16 encounters since August 2016.

Dundee United Scottish League Cup form:


Dundee United form (all competitions):
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • W


Ayr United Scottish League Cup form:


Ayr United form (all competitions):
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W


Team News

Off the back of a dominant display against Stenhousemuir, Goodwin could name a similar starting XI this weekend, with Gallagher, Vicko Sevelj and Ross Graham teaming up at the defensive end of the pitch.

Experienced goalkeeper Dave Richards, who recently completed a move from St Johnstone, made his debut against Stenhousemuir on Tuesday and the 30-year-old should retain his role between the sticks.

Moult, who finished with 18 goals and 16 assists in the Championship last season, should spearhead the Tangerines' attack once again, alongside Trapanovski and Kai Fotheringham.

Having finished with 13 goals and five assists in the Championship last season, Dowds hit the ground running this term this season, netting in each of Ayr's four matches since pre-season, and the Scottish forward will be one to keep an eye on.

The Honest Men will take to the pitch without 27-year-old defender Nathan McGinley, who recently completed a move to England non-league side Spennymoor Town.

Ayr recently completed the signing of Mikey Devlin from Livingston and the 30-year-old defender could be handed his debut this weekend.


Dundee United possible starting lineup:
Richards; Gallagher, Sevelj, Graham; Strain, Sibbald, Babunski, Ferry; Trapanovski, Moult, Fotheringham

Ayr United possible starting lineup:
Stone; Watret, Stanger, McMann, Reading; Syla, McKenzie; Henderson, Oakley, Rus; Dowds


We say: Dundee United 2-1 Ayr United

With their quest of progressing from the group potentially resting on Saturday's results, we expect Dundee and Ayr United to take the game to each other in search of all three points. The Tangerines' home advantage gives them a slight edge here and we are tipping them to come away with the desired result.


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




body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__548474 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-07-20 20:32:52:
html db last update - 2024-07-20 20:32:52 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Stephen Glass admits Aberdeen's plans may change if duo have long-term injuries
When will it end? Man City's horror run continues with defeat at Villa
Spurs to stun Liverpool, Man City to return to winning ways: Premier League GW17 predictions
"We decided to win through domination": Emery says Villa chose how to outclass City
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1514104444043
2Aberdeen16104230181234
3RangersRangers1510232791832
4Motherwell178272327-426
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd166642519624
6St Mirren176382228-621
7Dundee165472729-219
8Kilmarnock184681935-1618
9Hibernian173682129-815
10Ross County173681333-2015
11St Johnstone1742112032-1214
12Hearts1734101826-813
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

All-time PL combined XI: Tottenham vs. Liverpool

1

AP

When will it end? Man City's horror run continues with defeat at Villa

2

WW

"We decided to win through domination": Emery says Villa chose how to outclass City

NEW

3

&D

Team News: Real Madrid vs. Sevilla injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

NEW

4

TN

Team News: Everton vs. Chelsea injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

5

TN

Blow for Flick as Barcelona lose defender for key Atletico fixture

NEW

6

BF

Team News: Man Utd vs. Bournemouth injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

7

TN

Saturday's Premier League predictions including Aston Villa vs. Man City

8

SP

Arsenal, Man City table 'very attractive offers' to Barcelona star

9

AM

Newcastle 'could help' Man United, Chelsea 'land' £33m teenage star

10

N'


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .