Dundee United are enjoying a phenomenal first season back in the Scottish Premiership after earning promotion from the Scottish Championship last campaign, when they lifted the title with a six-point lead over second-placed Raith Rovers.
The Tangerines have won six, drawn six and lost just four of their first 16 league outings, leaving them fifth in the table with 24 points, five above seventh-placed Dundee and just a point behind fourth-placed Motherwell.
Jim Goodwin‘s men were enjoying a five-game unbeaten run in the league, with three draws and two victories, before they faced the Steelmen last time out, when they were narrowly defeated 4-3 in undoubtedly one of the games of the season.
Despite the defeat, Dundee Utd were arguably the better side as they controlled possession, with 65% compared to Motherwell’s 35%, while also taking 16 shots to the Steelmen’s 12, a performance that would have encouraged Goodwin.
In fact, that form has been replicated across all competitions so far this term, with Celtic having suffered just one loss from their opening 25 matches – an anomalous 7-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League – alongside 20 wins and four draws.
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Those results mean Celtic are not only well on course to defending their Scottish Premiership title, but also well positioned to secure qualification to the knockout rounds of the Champions League for the first time since 2012-13, as the Bhoys currently sit 21st in the table with nine points.
Celtic will also be boosted by already securing their first silverware of the campaign in their last match, defeating Rangers 5-4 on penalties after a 3-3 draw to lift the Scottish League Cup trophy for the third time in four years, having missed out last term.
