Ladbrokes Premiership: Dundee United boost survival hopes in Perth
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Mixu Paatelainen’s Dundee United grabbed a crucial 1-0 win at McDiarmid Park, despite playing the last half-hour with 10 men after Coll Donaldson’s cynical foul on Chris Kane.
Ryan Dow’s second league goal of the season gave United a first win at St. Johnstone in nine visits, and leaves the Terrors just five points behind Kilmarnock, with a superior goal difference and a game in hand
Killie did at least manage to half their four-game losing run with a cagey 0-0 draw against Partick Thistle, while Hamilton and Inverness both lost their weekend fixtures.
If both sides continue to struggle – with the Accies and the Caley Jags boasting one win each in their past seven league games – then improving United could still leapfrog them to avoid the relegation play-offs altogether.
Inverness were the latest victims of Motherwell’s incredible upturn in form. Not long ago, Mark McGhee’s men were embroiled in the battle against the drop. Well, though, have now notched five successive victories, with Jordan Roberts’ brilliant long-range winner in injury time sinking the Highland club 2-1.
At the top, Celtic nudged closer to a fifth league title in a row as they beat Hearts 3-1 at Parkhead. An early away goal from Jamie Walker caused some nerves for Hoops fans but goals from Gary Mackay-Steven and a double from on-loan Manchester City youngster Patrick Roberts saw the hosts wrap the game up by the 50-minute mark.
Aberdeen did their bit to keep the pressure on the Glasgow club, beating Hamilton 3-0 on Sunday, but they will need Celtic to begin dropping points to reignite their title dreams.
However, the Dons have won four of their last five games, and their ruthless strike force would be set to pounce on any Celtic slip-ups. Derek McInnes’ side are likely to prove a popular bet to win the title, at 11/1.
Elsewhere, Dundee boasted an impressive five different scorers in their 5-2 victory over Ross County. The five-star Dark Blues saw Kane Hemmings notch his 19th goal of an incredible season for the Tayside club, who climb into the top half of the table on a stellar weekend for the City of Discovery.
All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
