Dundee United vs Dundee predictions: Terrors can give rivals a nightmare start
- Dundee United lost only three home league matches last season
- The Tangerines conceded only 23 goals in 36 league matches last term
- Recommended bet: Dundee United to win
The city of Dundee is braced for the first derby of the season when Dundee Utd host Dundee at Tannadice in their opening Scottish Premiership fixture of the campaign on Sunday,
The Terrors will be hoping to continue the buzz of last term’s Championship promotion-winning campaign, while Dundee have aspirations of improving on last season’s excellent sixth-place finish.
Team news
New Dundee United signing Ryan Strain picked up a knock in the Scottish League Cup tie with Stenhousemuir and is likely to miss the contest with Dundee.
Fellow summer arrivals Vicko Sevelj, Kristijan Trapanovski and Jack Walton are set to make their league debuts and Jort van der Sande may make his first appearance for the Terrors.
Ziyad Larkeche is in line for his first Dundee start after signing on loan from QPR, but Joe Shaughnessy will miss the short journey to Tannadice through injury.
The stats
Dundee United lost only three home league matches last season and conceded only 23 goals in 36 league matches last term.
Dundee failed to win any of their final eight Scottish Premiership matches of last season.
The Tangerines have scored 10 goals in their four Scottish League Cup matches this season.
Dundee scored 18 times in the group stage of this season’s Scottish League Cup.
Prediction
Dundee United return to the Scottish Premiership following their promotion from the Championship last season and there is a good feeling at Tannadice ahead of the new campaign.
Jim Goodwin has beefed up his squad with eight summer signings and those new additions are set to be joined by Ivory Coast forward Meshack Ubochioma.
The likes of David Babunski, Will Ferry and Kristijan Trapanovski have impressed in the Terrors three Scottish League Cup games this season and the Tangerines should have no problems avoiding a relegation battle this season.
Dundee finished sixth after their promotion from the Championship last term, but the Dee were not the sixth-best side in the top flight last term.
Tony Docherty’s men failed to win any of their final eight league matches of the campaign, scoring only five goals, and with little transfer activity at Dens Park, there is limited scope for improvement this term.
Dundee have looked good against lower league opposition in the League Cup this season, but a trip to Tannadice rates a major step up in class and the Dee could be left feeling blue on Sunday.
