- Player form: Dundee United’s Will Ferry has scored two goals in three Premiership - Relegation Round 2026 matches and three in his last five overall.
- Players to watch: Saint Mirren’s Mikael Mandron has scored both of his team’s last two goals and has been in good form over the last five games.
- Standings: Dundee United have been the better of the two sides in the Premiership - Relegation Round 2026, earning 43 points in 36 games, while Saint Mirren are fifth with 30 points in as many games.
Saint Mirren and Dundee United need points in relegation battle
Saint Mirren and Dundee United will clash in a key relegation matchup on Sunday where each side is in desperate need of points to secure their Premiership survival.
Saint Mirren have had a rough patch recently, losing four of their last five fixtures, with only one win in the same period. They have also lost their last two home games and were beaten 0-3 by Kilmarnock in their most recent match, while United drew 0-0 with Livingston in their most recent game.
Tactical matchup should be interesting
Saint Mirren's approach
Craig McLeish took over as interim manager of Saint Mirren in March 2026 and has installed a more pragmatic, direct and set-piece driven style of play since his appointment.
- McLeish’s side don’t build up the ball much, preferring to win aerial duels and transition quickly or play direct long balls with their set-piece routines.
Dundee United's approach
United, meanwhile, have been a much more interesting team to watch under Jim Goodwin who has been in charge of the Tangerines since March 2023.
- Goodwin’s team tend to play a 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-2 formation where they can either be patient and build up the play or they can play vertical, pressing the opposition in their own half.
- Dundee United’s wing-backs have provided much width for their team in the top flight, while Goodwin’s side press high up in the final third, which should provide plenty of opportunities for Saint Mirren to counter-attack.
Best value lies in goals at both ends
Dundee United are the slight favorites here at 3.09, compared to Saint Mirren’s 2.17 with a draw available at 3.54. However, the better bet lies in both teams to score, which is priced at 1.6 and seems overpriced given the quality of both sides.
Both teams have struggled in the relegation round, with Saint Mirren winning five, drawing five and losing eight of their 18 home games in the bottom-flight section of the Premiership, averaging 0.56 goals scored per game and 1.17 goals conceded. United, meanwhile, have won three, drawn seven and lost eight of their 18 away games in the relegation round, averaging 1.33 goals per game.
The clash of styles should make for an interesting match and one where the aerial duels, in particular, are likely to play a big role. Both sides have been struggling recently so back both to find the net.
