Dundee United vs Rangers Predictions

Dundee United vs Rangers predictions for this Scottish Premiership clash. Third meets fourth in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday as Dundee United host Rangers at Tannadice in a crucial encounter. Read on for our free Scottish Premiership betting tips and predictions.

Scottish Premiership | Sep 15, 2024 at 12pm UK at Tannadice Park

Dundee United vs Rangers Predictions

Will Rangers Rebound Against In-Form Dundee United?

• Dundee United’s Defence Solid at Home: Dundee United have not conceded more than two goals at Tannadice since January, showcasing their defensive resilience. With an average of 20 tackles per game and 30.5 clearances, they have been a tough nut to crack for visiting sides.
• Rangers’ Possession Dominance: Rangers have averaged an impressive 63.5% possession in the Scottish Premiership this season, controlling the flow of games. With 470 accurate passes per game and 84.9% pass completion, they are likely to dominate the ball and dictate the tempo of this match.
• Cyriel Dessers in Form: Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers has been directly involved in 3 goals in 4 matches this season. His ability to score with either foot, combined with his strength in aerial duels, makes him the key attacking threat for Rangers against a solid Dundee United defence.

Best Bet

As Dundee United prepare to welcome Rangers to Tannadice Park this weekend, both teams find themselves in a critical stage of their respective seasons. While Dundee United have impressed with their unbeaten start to the Scottish Premiership, Rangers have had a more inconsistent journey, marked by a bitter loss to their arch-rivals, Celtic, before the international break. This clash represents an opportunity for Dundee United to solidify their place in the top tier, while Rangers desperately need to bounce back to keep their title aspirations alive.

The hosts, led by Jim Goodwin, have shown tremendous discipline, particularly in defence, having kept clean sheets in their last three matches. Their confidence will be high, bolstered by their recent victories over St Johnstone and Hearts, and they’ll be looking to maintain their unbeaten record in the league. On the other side, Rangers face mounting pressure to deliver.

After a string of uneven performances, including their defeat in the Old Firm Derby, Philippe Clement’s men need to find consistency, especially with several key players missing due to injury. Tannadice has not been the kindest of venues for the visitors, and with Dundee United’s solid form, this could be a testing 90 minutes for the Light Blues.

Rangers to win without conceding offers excellent value for this fixture. Despite their recent woes, Rangers’ defensive structure remains solid, and with Dundee United’s relatively low attacking output—just 1.5 goals per game on average this season—Rangers should be able to contain their opponents effectively. While Dundee United have not conceded in their last three matches, they have yet to face a team with the attacking quality Rangers possess, even in their weakened state.

Philippe Clement’s side may have been humbled by Celtic, but their overall form, particularly against teams lower in the league, suggests they are well-positioned to keep a clean sheet in this encounter. Rangers’ defensive numbers support this prediction: they have averaged only one goal conceded per match in the Premiership, and their ability to control games through possession—63.5% on average—means Dundee United will likely struggle to create clear-cut chances. Furthermore, the hosts have managed only 10.5 shots per game, with 4.3 on target, which suggests they do not offer a sustained attacking threat that could trouble Rangers’ backline significantly.

Even without the injured Rabbi Matondo and doubts surrounding other key players, Rangers still have more firepower than Dundee United. Cyriel Dessers, who has scored three times this season, could be crucial, with his movement and physical presence likely to cause problems for Dundee United’s defence. Dessers’ ability to hold up play and link with the midfield could keep the home side pinned back in their half for long periods, limiting their chances to break forward.

BettingTips4You.com expert Herrin Kendrick agrees, stating: “Although Rangers have had their ups and downs, their defence remains a strong point, and with Dundee United not being prolific in front of goal, a clean sheet for the Gers seems a solid bet. The visitors will be motivated to tighten up after their Old Firm setback, and the home side’s attack is not potent enough to break through.”

This prediction is further reinforced by the fact that Rangers have kept clean sheets in two of their last four league matches and are unlikely to face the kind of sustained attacking pressure that Celtic managed in the derby. Dundee United, while unbeaten, have only scored six goals in four matches, and most of those came against weaker opposition.

Additional Prediction

Given Rangers’ need for a talisman in Matondo’s absence, Cyriel Dessers emerges as the prime candidate to find the back of the net. With three goals in the Premiership already, Dessers has shown he can be a consistent threat when given service. Rangers will likely dominate possession, with their midfield keen to exploit any gaps in Dundee United’s defence, and Dessers’ sharp movement and physicality make him a natural target for crosses and through balls.

Dundee United’s defence, while impressive this season, has yet to face a striker of Dessers’ calibre. His ability to score with both feet and his strength in aerial duels should provide Rangers with the edge they need in attack. Additionally, Dessers has shown a knack for being in the right place at the right time, which will be crucial against a Dundee United side that will sit deep and try to frustrate the visitors.

Correct Score Prediction: Rangers 2-0 Dundee United

Based on the defensive and attacking statistics from both sides, a 2-0 scoreline in favour of Rangers seems the most likely outcome. Rangers have not been prolific away from home but are capable of scoring against a side like Dundee United, who, despite their solid start, have not faced top-tier opposition regularly this season. With an average of 2 goals per game and Dundee United conceding 0.8 goals per match, it’s reasonable to expect Rangers to find the net twice, while their defensive solidity should help them keep a clean sheet.

Dundee United’s lack of cutting-edge up front—particularly with an average of just 4.3 shots on target per match—suggests they will struggle to break down a well-organised Rangers defence. The Gers have already kept two clean sheets this season, and with Clement likely to focus on tightening up after the Celtic defeat, they should be able to keep Dundee United at bay.

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