Big improvement needed

Dundee United boss Peter Houston will be wanting a big improvement as his side travel to meet Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

The Tangerines conceded four goals for the second time in three home games against St Mirren last time out.

Defender Brian McLean was sent-off during that fixture and is therefore suspended this time around. Houston will be hoping that Sean Dillon finally overcomes a thigh problem to provide some cover while midfielder Willo Flood is their latest injury doubt.

"We're scoring goals and creating a lot of chances, it's just at the back individual errors are costing us," United midfielder John Rankin told BBC Scotland. "Sooner or later hopefully our luck will change. It's disappointing the way its going just now.

"We need to start picking up points and start picking up wins," he added. "We're sitting eighth, but the way we're looking at it we're nine points off second."

Aberdeen have concerns over striker Rory Fallon but winger Ryan Fraser should recover from ankle trouble.

However, the same can't be said for Andrew Considine, who has joined the likes of Ryan Jack, Chris Clark, Gary Naysmith and Isaac Osbourne on the sidelines.

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