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    Dundee Utd v Inverness CT Preview

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    Dundee United v Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC

    Caley Thistle head to the City of Discovery eager to build on the encouraging win over Kilmarnock, whereas the Tannadice outfit will be looking to continue a good run of form that has seen them win their last two games against Aberdeen and Hearts.

    Both sides have had to do some rebuilding work over the summer, with the Arabs losing talismanic striker Noel Hunt to Reading as well as facing up to starting the season without former Jags winger Barry Robson, who was sold to Celtic last January.

    After having been widely tipped to challenge for third spot this time out, United had a poor start to the campaign. The opening day saw then outclassed by newly promoted Hamilton Accies and the next four SPL matches saw them only pick up two points, losing to Hibs away and Kilmarnock at home. However, comprehensive wins in difficult games against Aberdeen and Hearts have pulled Craig Levein’s team back into the mix and will see them filled with confidence.

     

    Inverness Caledonian Thistledundee_utd_50.gifDUNDEE UTD v INVERNESS C.T.

    Tannadice Park, Dundee

    Saturday 4th October, 3:00pm 

    PAST MEETINGS

    Caley Thistle and Dundee Utd have been evenly matched in head-to-head games, Caley holding a slight advantage with six wins to United’s five. There have been eight draws between the sides. In the SPL the tally is four wins each with seven draws.

    Caley Thistle first played at Tannadice not against Dundee Utd but against Rangers in 1996’s Scottish cup quarter final, after Telford Street Park had been certified unfit to host the game. The first trip to face the Tangerines saw then Second Division Caley go close to another cup shock before being held to a 1-1 draw. Paul Sheerin gave Caley the lead in the first half but Kjell Olofsson saved home blushes with a late equaliser. The replay saw a huge crowd witness a fighting defeat for the Inverness side as they forced extra time with two late goals, including a Mark McCulloch piledriver in the last minute. Another Scandavian import, Lars Zetterland sent United through with an extra time winner.

    The clubs resumed hostilities in the SPL in 2004 and Caley had to wait until February 2006 for their first league win over United. In a memorable encounter a rampant Caley crushed United 4-2, despite trailing to twice to Charlie Mulgrew free-kicks. This encounter was given extra spice by the fact that United’s then manager was one Craig Brewster who had left Caledonian Stadium a few months before to return to his former club.

    During his short, painful tenure as Tannadice supremo Brewster never managed to win over his former club but once he returned to Inverness, he managed to win over United in his first game back at Tannadice. Ian Black scored a wonderful long range effort in December 2007 during the impressive pre-Christmas run that also saw the Jags defeat Celtic and Hibs.

    PLAYERS TO WATCH

    For the home side the name on all the fans lips after the impressive win over Hearts was Craig Conway. The former Ayr United winger was quickly signed up by Craig Brewster on a pre-contract agreement and has been on the fringes of the United side since 2006 but burst onto the scene last week with a stunning free-kick goal and a performance that justified the Arab fans faith in the 23 year old. Conway has struggled with injury since moving to the SPL and will be hungry to show that he can offer the creative spark to compensate for the recent losses of Noel Hunt and Barry Robson. An interesting angle for Caley Jags fans is the fact that if Brewster had remained Inverness manager in 2006 it is likely that he would have tried to make Conway a Jag after being impressed with him in his final game as boss, a 1-1 cup draw with Ayr United. Ross Tokely will need to be careful in facing Conway, who provoked Hearts Icelandic defender Eggart Jonsson into a red card last time out.

    Inverness Caley Thistle fans have looked to Andy Barrowman for goals this season and his display last week will have given encouragement to the travelling fans. Barrowman harried a Killie back line who had until last week only conceded SPL goals this season to the Old Firm. Barrowman was singled out for praise by his manager during the week and will be keen to bag a few more goals. With Barrowman’s first day strike at Pittodrie the only goal the Jags’ strikers have bagged from open play this season, it’s vital that he builds on his good showing.

    MY PREDICTION

    Tannadice is not a trip that many sides will relish as Dundee Utd look to build on a successful season last time out. With their stuttering start seemingly over, the home side will be keen to push on up the league and it will certainly be difficult for Caley Jags on Saturday. However, Inverness’ away form has been impressive this season, with wins at Aberdeen, Falkirk and Morton, all potentially difficult trips and a narrow defeat at Tynecastle showing that the Highlanders are difficult opponents on the road. A stuffy defensive performance, without defensive or goalkeeping errors is a necessity. With this a point for Craig Brewsters troops is an achievable goal and would send ICT into the international break in satisfied mood.




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