Two teams with opposing objectives in the Scottish Premiership will clash on Sunday afternoon as relegation-threatened Ross County host top-six challenging Dundee United.
The hosts are ninth in the league standings but only four points above the drop zone, while the visitors are fifth in the table and hold a three-point lead over seventh-placed Motherwell.
Match preview
© Imago
After finishing fifth in the Scottish Premiership in the 2021-22 season, Ross County have disappointingly spent the next two full seasons and the current campaign battling against relegation.
The Staggies placed 11th in both 2022-23 and 2023-24, having to defeat Partick Thistle (5-4 on penalties after a 3-3 draw on aggregate) and Raith Rovers (6-1 on aggregate) in the relegation playoff finals.
Don Cowie, in charge since February 2024, would have been aiming to steer Ross County clear of competing in the relegation playoff final for a third successive year, but the Staggies are still fighting to ensure their safety.
Ross County are ninth in the table with 35 points from 30 fixtures heading into this clash, leaving them only four points above 10th-placed Dundee in the relegation playoff place, though they also trail sixth-placed Hearts by just four points.
As only three games remain before the Scottish Premiership splits into two halves, Cowie will be hopeful for his side to pull off a miraculous climb into the top six, though they are likely to find themselves competing in the bottom half of the table.
Despite the expectations, Ross County will aim to get their final three fixtures of the regular campaign off to a winning start, but they will be the underdogs heading into Sunday's clash.
Their opponents, Dundee United, are fifth in the Scottish Premiership table and will be aiming to secure their place in the top six in the final three matches of the regular season.
The Tangerines have experienced a worrying downturn in form in recent weeks that has seen their place become increasingly insecure, with only two wins from their last 10 league outings allowing those below them to make up ground.
Those results have left Jim Goodwin's side with a slim three-point advantage over seventh-placed Motherwell, and the Tangerines will aim to capitalise on favourable fixtures against Ross County and St Johnstone, with a potentially pivotal match against Hearts in between, to solidify their top-six position.
While the visitors are in undeniably poor form, Dundee Utd have avoided defeat in the two matchups with Ross County this season - securing a 3-0 win and 1-1 draw - and they will aim to extend that run on Sunday.
Team News
![Jim Goodwin (Manager) of Dundee United during the 2024/25 Pre Season Friendly match between Dundee United and Luton Town at CalForth Construction Arena, Tannadice Park, Scotland on 26 July 2024 [on August 2, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/31/jim-goodwin.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Jim Goodwin (Manager) of Dundee United during the 2024/25 Pre Season Friendly match between Dundee United and Luton Town at CalForth Construction Arena, Tannadice Park, Scotland on 26 July 2024 [on August 2, 2024]")
© Imago
Ross County are anticipated to be without the services of Aidan Denholm (hamstring), Michee Efete (Achilles tendon), Ryan Leak (Achilles tendon) and Will Nightingale (unspecified) due to ongoing injury issues.
Following a disappointing performance in the 2-0 defeat to Hearts before the international break, Cowie could look to make several changes to his starting 11 for this one.
Ross County's top scorer in the league, Ronan Hale, could replace Kieran Phillips in attack, while Jordan White could replace Noah Chilvers in attacking midfield.
As for Dundee United, Ross Docherty is unlikely to feature due to a thigh injury that has meant he has failed to make an appearance since February, though the midfielder was on the bench last time out.
Luca Stephenson is also a doubt after coming off just 17 minutes into the 4-2 defeat to Dundee before the break, meaning Craig Sibbald may partner Vicko Sevelj in the middle of the park.
Emmanuel Adegboyega is the final absentee for Dundee United, as the defender was sent off in the final minutes of that match, leaving a back four of Ryan Strain, Declan Gallagher, Ross Graham and Will Ferry likely to start.
Ross County possible starting lineup:
Amissah; Tomkinson, Lopata, Campbell; Wright, Randall, Kenneh, Nisbet, Harmon; White; Hale
Dundee United possible starting lineup:
Walton; Strain, Gallagher, Graham, Ferry; Middleton, Sevelj, Sibbald, Trapanovski; Dalby, Campbell
We say: Ross County 1-2 Dundee United
While Ross County are in greater form than their visitors, Dundee United have remained undefeated in this fixture this season, and we expect that to continue with a vital victory for the visitors.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
