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

Dundee United play host to Ross County on Wednesday evening looking to end a six-match losing streak in the Scottish Premiership.

While the Tangerines still sit in seventh position in the standings, Ross County have recently moved into 10th spot courtesy of an upturn in form.

Match preview

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All things considered, Dundee United have been pretty dismal since the start of November, losing seven of their 10 matches in all competitions.

Six of those setbacks have come in succession in the league, but Thomas Courts and his squad finally got back on track in the Scottish Cup at the weekend.

Dundee United held their nerve in extra time to see off Kilmarnock by a 2-1 scoreline, Dylan Levitt's 111th-minute goal ultimately proving to be the distance.

The success at Rugby Park ended a three-month wait for a win on their travels, and Courts will hope that Dundee United can build on that result as they bid to re-enter the top six.

Courts will hope that one of his players is ready to take on extra responsibility in front of goal with none of this squad having scored more than three times in the league in 21 matches.

Malky Mackay cannot claim to have made the biggest impact at Ross County since his arrival in May, but there are signs that the Staggies are beginning to find their way.

Ten points have been collected from their last six Scottish Premiership fixtures, a run which has included a 3-1 win over fourth-placed Motherwell.

While defeat at Livingston in the Scottish Cup came as a huge disappointment, Malkay will be content that his team can focus their efforts on trying to remain in the top flight.

Leading marksman Regan Charles-Cook, who has found himself all over the pitch this season, has contributed four goals in his last six league appearances.

Team News

A change in system and personnel worked for Dundee United last time out, and Courts may be against making too many alterations to that setup.

Ilmari Niskanen may come back into the team at left wing-back, while Courts could look to find a place for Peter Pawlett or Ian Harkes.

Having not used a number of key players for the cup fixture at the weekend, Mackay is expected to revert to a similar side which started against Motherwell.

However, that is dependent of some of them getting closer to full fitness over the coming days after Mackay said that many of them were not ready to feature at Livingston.

Jordan Tillson remains suspended after his red card earlier this month, while David Cancola appears likely to miss out through injury.

However, Matthew Wright and Adam Mackinnon should feature in the squad after being recalled from loan.

Dundee United possible starting lineup:
Siegrist; Edwards, Mulgrew, McMann; Freeman, Harkes, Levitt, Niskanen; Clark; McNulty, Watt

Ross County possible starting lineup:
Maynard-Brewer; Randall, Drysdale, Iacovitti, Vokins; Paton, Spittal; Hungbo, Callachan, Charles-Cook; White

We say: Dundee United 1-1 Ross County

Despite the difference in league positions, it could be argued that the visitors are the marginal favourites for this contest. Nevertheless, having gotten back on track in the cup, we expect Dundee United to do enough to get another much-needed point on the board.

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