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

Celtic will aim to keep putting the pressure on Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership this weekend when they travel to Tannadice Park.

Dundee United have the potential to climb up to third place with a victory on Sunday though, as they attempt to get back to winning ways after two games without one.

Match preview

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Dundee United ended November in frustrating fashion, failing to win either of their last two games after a draw with Ross County and then a midweek loss against Motherwell.

The Terrors were beaten 1-0 on Tuesday, despite the fact that the Steelmen ended up finishing the game with 10 men, with Tony Watt's first-half goal proving to be enough.

Regardless of those results, Tam Courts has been able to guide his team into fourth place at the moment, which is a major improvement on the ninth position they finished in last season.

Even though they are the lowest-scoring team in the top half of the table, the Terrors will have the belief that they can take a result from the Hoops on Sunday.

The last time these two clubs met in the league, the points were shared following a 1-1 draw, with Ian Harkes managing to cancel out the goal that Liel Abada scored for Celtic.

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Ange Postecoglou guided his group to another victory in midweek when they hosted Hearts, with Kyogo Furuhashi scoring the only goal of the game to keep the pressure on Rangers.

At the moment, the Hoops are just four points behind the current league leaders and they shall be aiming for that gap to close at the weekend.

Celtic have already booked their place in the Scottish League Cup final, but the focus now remains on trying to regain the SPL as they aim to continue their recent run of form.

Postecoglou's team have not lost in their previous nine encounters in the league, with their last defeat taking place in September and that confidence should stand them in good stead at the weekend.

However, the Hoops will be missing the vast majority of their fans on Sunday as Dundee United have had to shut the Jerry Kerr Stand after damage from the recent Storm Arwen.

Team News

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Declan Glass was brought back into the Dundee United starting XI in midweek, but he was replaced by Nicky Clark and he could end up returning on Sunday.

Louis Appere will be set to lead the line for the Terrors at the weekend, with the pressure being on him to start adding some goals to their season.

Celtic were dealt a host of injury concerns during their recent victory against Hearts as three key players ended up having to be substituted with various problems.

Jota, Anthony Ralston and Stephen Welsh were all replaced during the midweek fixture which has caused doubts over their availability for this match.

Carl Starfelt also suffered an issue during the match as he had a niggle to his knee, but the fact he was able to finish the game could be a positive sign for him.

However, it was not all bad news for the Hoops as Tom Rogic returned to the starting XI and came through unscathed, meaning he will be an option once again.

Dundee United possible starting lineup:
Siegrist; McMann, Mulgrew, Edwards, Freeman; Clark, Niskanen, Hoti, Harkes, Pawlett; Appere

Celtic possible starting lineup:
Hart; Juranovic, Starfelt, Bitton, Montgomery; Rogic, McGregor, Turnbull; Forrest, Johnston, Furuhashi

We say: Dundee United 0-2 Celtic

Celtic have been on a great run as of late and their attacking qualities will likely prove to be too much for Dundee United on Sunday.

The Terrors have struggled for goals throughout the course of the season and that could prove to be a problem against a team with as much quality as the Hoops.

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