It’s the first Dundee Derby of the season as Dundee make the short trip to Tannadice to face Jim Goodwin’s side.
Both sides have made differing starts to the season, with Dundee sitting in 5th with three points from their opening two league games, whilst Jim Goodwin’s United sit second-bottom with only a single point to their name.
With Saturday’s derby looming, we’ve looked at how both sides have fared this campaign.
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Match Preview
Dundee head into the first derby of the Scottish Premiership season off the back of a 3-0 defeat to Aberdeen in the Premier Sports Cup last week.
It was a game that hung in the balance at half-time, with Dundee boasting an xG of 0.41 to Aberdeen’s 0.70.
Aberdeen then scored three times in the second half, with a Kevin Nesbit brace and a Mitchy Ntelo strike, to see the Dons through to the next round.
Dundee United come into the derby with poor form behind them.
They were knocked out of the Premier Sports Cup 4-0 by Celtic, following a 4-0 loss away to Hearts and a 1-1 opening-day draw with Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.
Dundee Form Guide
Steven Pressley’s Dundee were hit by three goals in 12 minutes against Aberdeen last week.
Owen Goodman put in a strong performance in net for the Dee, making seven saves (four of them reflex) as Aberdeen had ten shots on target from 20 shots.
Dundee had gotten the better of Aberdeen the week before in the Scottish Premiership with a 2-0 win.
That result was more reflective of Dundee’s capabilities under Pressley as they comfortably beat Aberdeen in terms of xG (2.46 – 1.17), whilst having seven shots on target from 18 shots.
Dundee United Form Guide
Dundee United’s 4-0 loss to Celtic, but the game was closer than the scoreline suggested with Celtic’s xG (1.49) just edging Jim Goodwin’s side (1.13).
The Terrors had 19 shots, with none on target. Celtic, on the other hand, were far more efficient, hitting the target six times from ten shots.
This Premier Sports Cup loss followed a 4-0 home loss away at Hearts after a strong display in their opening-day 1-1 draw against Rangers.
This result leaves Dundee United in 11th place with just a single point to their name in the Scottish Premiership so far.
Tactical Insight
Dundee United’s lack of attacking edge could have a big impact on this derby.
Jim Goodwin’s side have only scored one goal from their last three games in all competitions, and failed to hit the target with any of their 19 efforts last week against Celtic.
The aerial battle is one to keep an eye out for at Dens Park on Saturday.
Dundee won 28 of their 52 aerial duels against Aberdeen last week, while Aberdeen could only win 19 of their 52.
Dundee United, however, could only win 14 of their 33 against Celtic. Captain Michael Forbes was solid in this area, winning three of his five aerial duels.
If that pattern holds, direct balls and set-piece deliveries into the Dundee United box look like an avenue worth exploring for the away side.
Conclusion
Both sides head into this derby off the back of defeats, but the away side have much more momentum in terms of league form after that confident win over Aberdeen and the narrow opening day 1-0 loss away at Celtic Park.
Dundee United will have to come and play with attacking intent, given their slow start to the domestic season and the pressure that comes with playing in a derby.
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