Scottish Football Preview
Scottish Premiership and Cup Action Highlights Key Fixtures for Local Clubs
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Key Points
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St Mirren have won only three of their past 23 top-flight home matches against Dundee United, drawing 10 and losing 10, although two of those victories came in their most recent five meetings at home.
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Only Aberdeen have suffered more Scottish Premiership defeats in 2026 than St Mirren, who have lost 14 matches in the competition and enter this fixture after back-to-back defeats.
3
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has now overseen 94 Premiership matches with the club—more than with any other team—and averages 1.75 points per league game against former side St Mirren.
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The upcoming St Johnstone-Falkirk match will be their first top-flight meeting since 2009-10, when St Johnstone went unbeaten across all four encounters, winning two and drawing two.
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Dundee are seeking to avoid losing consecutive league home games against Motherwell for the first time since October 2015; since a run of four straight home defeats to Motherwell between 2017 and 2019, Dundee have lost only two of their last seven such meetings.
Scottish football enters a crucial midweek stretch with Celtic preparing to face Ferencvaros in the Europa League after recent losses, while the Scottish Premiership's Matchday 7 on September 19 brings three key fixtures. BBC reports Celtic manager Martin O'Neill faces scrutiny following consecutive defeats. Meanwhile, St Mirren host struggling Dundee United, Dundee welcome Motherwell, and St Johnstone meet Falkirk in a first top-flight clash since 2009-10.
The fixtures come as Hearts recover from a stunning 2-1 home defeat to promoted Falkirk on September 15, snapping their nine-game unbeaten run. TalkSPORT notes the Old Firm derby looms large, with Celtic currently five points clear at the top despite recent struggles. Off the pitch, the SWPL Cup quarter-finals add urgency, with holders Glasgow City hosting Celtic and champions Hearts visiting Boroughmuir Thistle.
St Mirren Face Dundee United's Historic Edge at Home
St Mirren enter Saturday as heavy favorites but carry baggage against Dundee United at The SMiSA Stadium. Since Dundee United returned to the Premiership, they have beaten St Mirren five times. In their past 23 top-flight home meetings, St Mirren have won only three, drawing 10 and losing 10. However, two victories came in their most recent five home encounters, showing recent improvement.
St Mirren's troubles extend beyond this fixture. They have lost 14 Premiership matches in 2026—more than any club except Aberdeen—and arrive after back-to-back defeats. Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has overseen 94 Premiership matches with his current club, his longest tenure anywhere, and averages 1.75 points per game specifically against former employer St Mirren.
Dundee Seek to Avoid Motherwell's Curse at Home
Dundee host fifth-place Motherwell at Dens Park in a tight contest. The hosts are bidding to avoid consecutive home league defeats to Motherwell for the first time since October 2015. Since suffering four straight home losses between 2017 and 2019, Dundee have dropped only two of their last seven such meetings, suggesting improved resilience.
Dundee's strength lies in attacking consistency and ball control. The club has scored in 11 consecutive home league games. Three Dundee players lead the Premiership in key defensive metrics: Ryan Finnigan in tackles, Owen Bevan in interceptions, and Ethan Hamilton in possession won. Motherwell, by contrast, face a third straight defeat after losing two consecutive matches without scoring.
St Johnstone-Falkirk Marks 17-Year Top-Flight Reunion
St Johnstone and Falkirk meet in the Premiership for the first time since 2009-10, when St Johnstone went unbeaten across all four encounters, winning two and drawing two. St Johnstone striker Josh Fowler has scored half his team's league goals this season, providing crucial attacking thrust. However, St Johnstone have now gone 12 consecutive league matches without a clean sheet, exposing defensive vulnerability.
Falkirk arrive seeking consecutive top-flight victories over promoted opposition, riding momentum from their shock 2-1 win over Hearts on September 15. The win snapped Hearts' nine-game unbeaten streak and gave manager John McGlynn his first home league victory over top-flight opposition in 18 years. However, Falkirk are winless in their last five away league games, a concerning trend heading to McDiarmid Park.
Hearts Seek Answers After Falkirk Collapse
Hearts manager Wouter Vrancken delivered a damning post-match assessment after losing 2-1 to Falkirk on September 15. BBC reports Vrancken blamed "panic in the first half" and said his team was "too reactive and not proactive." He cited two defensive errors rather than injuries as the root cause, pointing to the team's poor execution. Vrancken told BBC the performance was simply "not good enough."
The defeat carries implications for Hearts' SWPL Cup quarter-final against Boroughmuir Thistle, where they will bid to defend their champions status. BBC indicates Vrancken must restore confidence and defensive discipline quickly if Hearts are to salvage their season. The loss marked an unexpected stumble for a side that had been quietly consistent before hitting this rough patch.
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