United are at McDiarmid Park tomorrow to face St Johnstone, kick-off three o’clock. The sides are level on eleven points from eight matches, and their records are identical: three wins, two draws and three defeats each, with ten goals scored. One goal of goal difference keeps Saints fifth and United sixth.

Jim Goodwin’s side go for a third straight league win after clean-sheet victories over St Mirren and Hibs. They have not managed three in a row yet this season. Saints have not yet won back-to-back league games, and Sunday’s win at Aberdeen was their first away league win.

Two numbers to watch. Josh Fowler has scored five of St Johnstone’s ten league goals, two of them penalties, while United’s ten have come from nine different scorers. And all four of United’s league away games have been decided by three goals or more, two wins and two defeats. St Johnstone’s four home games have all been settled by a single goal or ended level.

The Courier reports that Ross Hardie will referee, with Andrew Dallas on VAR. Hardie’s previous United assignment was the one-nil Premier Sports Cup defeat to Montrose earlier this season.

Elsewhere, Hibs have banned the Block Seven supporters group from their next three matches: Falkirk and Celtic at Easter Road, and St Mirren away. The ban follows disorder after last Saturday’s defeat at Tannadice. The Edinburgh Reporter carries the club’s statement, which says Hibs’ investigation is continuing with Police Scotland and Dundee United, and that further sanctions are possible.

Former United midfielder Julius Eskesen was in Conference League action last night for KuPS, who lost four-two to Mohamed Salah’s Trabzonspor. Salah scored once and set up another. Eskesen was booked, and KuPS had a penalty saved.

Loan Watch. Ruairidh Adams played as Airdrieonians came from two goals down to beat Hearts B three-two in the KDM Evolution Trophy on Tuesday. Matthew Mudie started for Spartans in their one-all draw with Bonnyrigg Rose the same night and was replaced after seventy-six minutes. Both clubs are through to the last thirty-two. In yesterday’s draw, Airdrieonians face Elgin City and Spartans face Livingston, with the ties scheduled for the midweek of the third and fourth of November.

Sources:
SPFL
Sportmonks
Dundee United Football Club
Dundee United Football Club
Sportmonks
The Courier
The Edinburgh Reporter
LiveScore
DHA
beIN Sports Turkey
Klangi
Airdrieonians Football Club
Airdrieonians Football Club
Dundee United Football Club
Sporting Life
SPFL

Morning Line is an independent, AI-assisted briefing, reviewed before publication.

The Courier reports that Mehdi Merghem and Will Ferry are set to miss Saturday’s trip to St Johnstone. Jim Goodwin says Merghem may return to training before Aberdeen visit Tannadice on the twenty-fourth of October. Ferry is being assessed week by week because of muscular discomfort.

Jim Goodwin says United’s start should please owner Mark Ogren, who is due at St Johnstone on Saturday. Goodwin says the chairman’s priority is a winning team, with player sales secondary to results, and that the club is aiming for a top six finish and a cup run to Hampden.

For supporters planning ahead, tickets for United’s trip to Celtic on Wednesday the twenty-eighth of October are now on sale, with prices on the club website.

Sources:
The Courier
The Courier
Dundee United Football Club

Morning Line is an independent, AI-assisted briefing, reviewed before publication.

The Courier reports that Jim Goodwin accepts he sometimes left Bert Esselink too exposed against quick attackers last season, and now praises the defender’s professionalism, determination and resilience in reclaiming his place. Esselink has started both of United’s back-to-back league wins and clean sheets.

The Courier also reports that Jim Goodwin says captain Ross Graham remains an important leader despite losing his place, with Bert Esselink and Michael Forbes currently established at centre-back. Goodwin says Graham’s attitude in training has been exemplary, and that he is still club captain.

For Saturday’s match at St Johnstone, the home club says parking at McDiarmid Park is now cashless. Cars will be held for about ten minutes after full-time to let pedestrians leave safely.

In the B team, United lost two-one away to Montrose in the KDM Evolution Trophy last night. Dundee United say Scott Hamilton scored, and had a late equaliser ruled out for offside.

Loan Watch. Miller Thomson made his Stenhousemuir debut off the bench as they lost two-nil at Inverness on Saturday, their first league defeat of the season. The Falkirk Herald reports manager Marvin Bartley praised his versatility. He says Thomson can play both wing-back roles and as a number ten. Bartley spoke to former United boss Liam Fox and to Craig Sibbald, who played alongside him. Stenhousemuir are still two points clear at the top and host Raith Rovers on Saturday.

Sources:
The Courier
Dundee United Football Club
Dundee United Football Club
The Courier
St Johnstone Football Club
Dundee United Football Club
SPFL
Falkirk Herald
SPFL

Morning Line is an independent, AI-assisted briefing, reviewed before publication.