Preview

After a decent draw recorded at Rugby Park last weekend, this Saturday sees United host Partick Thistle. By Joe James Due to Kilmarnock playing so much of last weekend's match with ten men, many Arabs could potentially look at the trip to Rugby Park as two points dropped. However, without a doubt, it was pleasing to see United make the trip away from home and show the ability and mental strength to pick up points on the road - something that has seldom happened this season. Despite a shaky start in defence, overall, the back three did well to cope with the physicality that both Kris Boyd and Josh Magennis give the Ayrshire side in attack. Partick Thistle, who also possess a few strong presences in attack themselves, could also prove to give the United defence a handful. A similarly committed performance from Paatelainen's side this weekend to last week's one will go a long way to seeing the Terrors leave Tannadice with all three points. Chris Erskine featured in the side last weekend for his first game in almost three months. Erskine will once again be in contention for a place in Saturday's side and has definitely bolstered the options in midfield. Whilst Erskine's availability is a huge bonus, Cal Morris, too, could be close to a return to the side. However, still in the stands for Saturday will be midfield duo Ryan Dow and Paul Paton. The sides have met once already this season when Dave Bowman took charge of United for the first time following the departure of Jackie McNamara. It was bitterly disappointing October afternoon, goals from David Amoo, Mustapha Dumbaya and Stuart Bannigan giving the Jags all three points in a sore 3-0 defeat in the west end of Glasgow. Now facing each other for the first time since that miserable day at Firhill, United will be desperate to make amends. It will, without doubt, be a difficult task: Thistle ploughed through November without recording a single defeat, whilst former United favourite, Alan Archibald, was awarded the Manager of the Month accolade. With a United win possibly seeing Paatelainen's side move within touching distance of eleventh-placed Motherwell, any points collected on Saturday could prove to be absolutely huge come the end of the season. Click here for ticket info for tomorrow's game.