Preview Dundee United

Betfred Cup: 3.00pm kick off at Tannadice.
Admission prices:- Adults £15, Concessions £5

Dundee United could into Sunday`s final Group C match against the Pars seeking the win that would see them top the group despite not taking full points from two of the three games played so far. The new format being tried in this season`s League Cup sponsored by Betfred has brought about exciting finishes with penalty shoot out winners taking a bonus point in the event of the matches ending all square. On Saturday Inverness Caley are at home to Arbroath and a win give them ten points.

Group winners and four best runners-up progress to the last 16. So as the final fixture of the section stage Dundee United on seven points and Dunfermline on six points will know what is required of them if they wish to qualify for the knock out stages.

United will be a real test to gauge the Pars chances against their fellow Championship rivals who share aspirations of promotion this season. Ray McKinnon has returned to Tannadice after starting his playing career there from the age of 16 to 22.

The lifelong United fan returned for three further years from 1995 to 1998. His managerial career started with local juniors Lochee United and after moving on to Brechin City, he then went to Raith Rovers where his impressive achievement attracted the Tannadice club to appoint him successor to Mixu Paatelainen on 12th May 2016.

The four league matches against McKinnon`s team will be important for Dunfermline and this match will be an important confidence boost for the winners.

This Betfred League Cup tie will be broadcast live by BT Sport. There will be no alteration to the schedule, kick off 3.00pm.

In League Cup competition United have come out on top in 8 of the 13 meetings. . The Fifers last League Cup win was at East End Park . back in September 1991. Since then the two League Cup meetings ended in wins for United, 1-0 in October 2008 and 3-1 after extra time last season.

A brave Pars performance counted for nothing as Dundee United’s premiership class eventually told after the Pars spurned chances to win this League Cup tie in normal time. . The Pars took the lead in 10 minutes when Joe Cardle poked the ball to Michael Paton 25 yards out and his shot seemed to go straight through Luis Zwick`s hands. .

Former Par Callum Morris scored a 34th minute equaliser heading in Fraser`s corner. Both teams had chances to win it but the ttie went to extra time where Fraser and Spittal struck to send the Pars out. .

 .Sean Murdoch. Andy Geggan (c), Lewis Martin, Ben Richards-Everton, Jason Talbot (Rhys McCabe 81). Michael Paton, Shaun Byrne (David Hopkirk ET), Joe Cardle. Ryan Wallace (Michael Moffat 67), Faissal El Bakhtaoui.
SUBS NOT USED: Mickael Antoine-Curier, James Thomas, John Potter, David Hutton (GK).

Milestones Dundee United (Away)
Last Victory	20/08/11	1-0	SPL
Last Defeat	22/09/15	1-3	League Cup
Best Victory	29/01/66 22/08/62 28/02/48	4-0	Div 1* Div 1* Div B*
Worst Defeat	24/08/83	1-6	League Cup
*Pre league reconstruction

Over the last twelve matches between Dunfermline and United, the Pars have won four, lost five with three games ending all square. . United have won the last three.

Last Twelve Matches v Dundee United
Date	H/A	F-A	Scorers
22/09/15	A	1-3	[1-0] Paton, [1-1] Morris, [1-2] Fraser, [1-3] Spittal
31/03/12	A	0-3	[0-1] Daly, [0-2] Robertson, [0-3] Daly.
29/10/11	H	1-4	[0-1] Dixon, [0-2] Dalla Valle, [1-2] Kirk, [1-3] Russell, [1-4] MacKay-Steven
20/08/11	A	1-0	[1-0] Burns
28/10/08	A	0-1	[0-1] Robertson
21/04/07	H	1-0	[1-0] McManus
27/01/07	A	0-0	.
18/11/06	H	2-1	[0-1] Robson, [1-1] Shields, [2-1] Mason
19/08/06	A	0-0	.
02/05/06	A	1-0	[1-0] Daquin
25/02/06	H	1-1	[0-1] Kenneth, [1-1] Burchill
20/12/05	A	1-2	[1-0] Samuel, [1-1] Wilson, [1-2] Robson

Recent Form

Dundee United comprehensively overpowered Cowdenbeath in the only home match they have played this season. Their other two Betfred section matches ended 1-1 and Ray McKinnon`s side picked up a bonus point from each tie for winning the penalty shoot out. On Saturday Keeper Cammy Bell earned United the bonus point with some crucial saves in the penalty shoot out at the Caledonian Stadium.

Dunfermline won their first two matches 3-0 then faced Richie Foran`s Inverness Caley Thistle as they stepped up the level of opponent. That proved to be a disappointment but at least the Pars played well for large periods of the match but they did lose heavily.

. . Recent Form .
. Dundee United			.  .  .  .	. Dunfermline
. Inverness Caley (A)	D	1-1		. . Inverness Caley (H)	L	1-5
. Cowdenbeath . (H)	W	6-1		. . Cowdenbeath (A)	.W	.3-0
. Arbroath (A)	D	1-1		. . Arbroath (H)	W	3-0
. .				.
.				. .
. .				. .

Last Time Out

DUNFERMLINE (v Inverness Caley Thistle): David Hutton: Ryan Williamson, Lee Ashcroft, Ben Richards-Everton, Jason Talbot: Rhys McCabe, Lewis Spence, Andy Geggan (c), Joe Cardle (James Thomas 89): Michael Moffat (Callum Smith 78), Kallum Higginbotham (Paul McMullan 73).
SUBS NOT USED: Lewis Martin, Michael Paton, Cammy Gill (GK)


DUNDEE UNITED (v Inverness Caley Thistle): Cammy Bell, Lewis Toshney, Mark Durnan, Paul Dixon (Sean Dillon 45), Coll Donaldson, Willo Flood, Blair Spittal (Temitope Obadeyi 67), Nick van der Velden (Henri Anier 79), Stewart Murdoch, Cammy Smith, Simon Murray
SUBS NOT USED: Charles Telfer, Scott Fraser, Luis Zwick, Harry Souttar,

Referee will be john McKendrick.

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