Dundee United v Hamilton Academical Betting Tips: Hosts the team to side with at Tannadice Park

In what are rather odd circumstances for a relegation play-off match, both of these sides will go in with a bit of confidence having each won last time out.

Dundee United may have finished 3rd in the Scottish Championship, however, they have been fantastic in both of their play-off ties, firstly against Greenock Morton and then against Falkirk. There can be no doubt that they pose a significant threat to Hamilton here.

Goals have been the theme for The Tangerines in this latter part of the season, especially in the final third where they have found the back of the net in each of their last seven matches, including play-off games. However, this goal-scoring form has left them a bit open at the back and they have kept just one clean sheet in those aforementioned seven matches.

If Ray McKinnon’s side want to give themselves any chance of getting promotion, they know they have to win this match given their fantastic home record. Dundee United had the best home record in the regular season of the Scottish Championship with 39 points taken from 18 matches. They have only lost one competitive match at home this campaign and that came against league champions Hibernian back in March. Furthermore, they have scored an impressive ten goals in their last four on home soil.

Although it has obviously been a poor season for Hamilton Academical as they find themselves threatened by relegation, they did manage to stave off automatic relegation thanks to a huge 4-0 win against Dundee FC on the final day of the regular season. This should give them confidence going into this match.

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of The Accies’ win at the weekend was the fact they scored four goals. This meant that they boosted their total goal tally to 37 for the season and made sure they were only the second-worst goalscorers in the league come the end of the campaign. However, it still goes without saying that 37 is a poor total from 38 games. Defensively, Hamilton have been okay with their defensive record of 56 against only the fifth-worst in the league whilst they did of course keep a clean sheet at the weekend. Having said that, can they rely on their defence against this free-scoring Dundee United side on Thursday?

Hamilton have been atrocious on their travels this season and only took ten points from 19 away games in the regular season – the worst record in the Scottish top flight. They have also lost seven of their last nine away matches, failing to score in six of them. However, although this is clutching at straws, Hamilton won the last time they were in Dundee – albeit at United’s rivals Dundee FC.

The away side may have a bit of confidence going into this match thanks to that recent 4-0 win, however, Dundee United will also be feeling good about things and, given their home record along with Hamilton’s poor away record, I expect them to take full advantage and come out on top.

Click here to read tips for Thursday’s Bundesliga play-off.