Warren Peace

Saturday's epic hero, Gary Warren, will miss this clash with the Arabs having collected too many bookings over the season.  It's the first game the big man will have missed since joining in the summer and he has endeared himself to the Caley Jags fans with some sterling defending and his ability to notch goals at the other end of the park. He will make his peace with the officials as he sits this one out.

Jackie McNamara brings his new side up to the Highlands on Wednesday night for a 19:45 kick off at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium where Inverness will host Dundee United. This will be his sixth game in charge since taking over the reigns from Peter Houston.

We have some record to uphold for this season against Dundee teams. Four games played and we have scored four goals in each game, the last one against United was that incredible 4-4 draw at Tannadice after being three down in eight minutes.
 
I can't guarantee a similar scoreline, but United are normally one of the more entertaining sides to visit Inverness and with the likes of Johnny Russell and Gary Mackay-Stevens in their ranks then they have two of the hottest properties in the SPL.

Inverness have gained twelve points since that game in December and United have taken thirteen points, having played one more game than their hosts. Our goal scoring exploits at home have seen us net 27 SPL goals, United have scored 18 away from Tannadice.  Our defence has steadied from a poor start to the season, but we have conceded 21 times at home, conversely, United have lost 24 on the road. Inverness have won five times at home, but United have six victories away from home.  To be honest, there's not much to chose between the sides in terms of stats and that is the reason only four points separate the sides.

A handful of wins on the trot will propel any of the teams bar Dundee into contention for best of the rest, and Ross County are a prime example of that after a great succession of results for them in recent weeks. 20 points over the same period that we have taken 12. Only Celtic have a better record, and that is the reason the league is so congested.  And County's run just got even better, joining Inverness on 41 points after beating a pathetic Aberdeen 1-0 at Pittodrie tonight    (Tuesday)  Who would have thought it, Inverness and County in second and third spot in the SPL. Great stuff!

Inverness are asking season ticket holders to bring along a friend for a mere £5, good value if you are doing nothing else on a midweek evening.  It's a bit like finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, so come along and cheer on your local side.

***Latest Team News***

Richie Foran is still out with his knee injury but Josh Meekings returns, and with Gary Warren suspended, Josh is set to partner Daniel Devine in central defence. Chris Hogg and Simon King are out as per norm.

Gavin Gunning is recovering following his knee operation.  Swedish defender Marcus Tornstrand has been signed but the 23-year-old will not feature as he is not yet match fit.

Danny Devine will be a key player against United and he talks to Auldy Boy ahead of the midweek fixture.

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tm4tj Prediction:- Plenty of goals so far in these encounters this season, but the law of averages says it must slow down.  With McKay on a lean streak and Inverness being a bit cagey of late, I don't expect a goalfest this time round, but we have last weekends hero Gary Warren missing and that could prove crucial to the outcome, at both ends of the park.  United will be hurting after letting the lead slip in the last game against us, not to mention the 4-0 thrashing we gave them in the first match.  For that reason alone, we may have to settle for a share of the spoils, but a cheeky wee win would not go amiss.  2-1 for us with McKay and Shinnie back amongst the goals.