Partick V Dundee Utd at Firhill Stadium : Match Preview

04 April 2016 17:34
Partick V Dundee Utd - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Alan Archibald wants his Partick side to end Dundee United revival

Partick manager Alan Archibald has urged his players to seize the initiative against Dundee United and keep their top-six hopes alive.

Archibald spent three and a half years at Tannadice as a player, but he is determined to make Tuesday's Firhill clash all about his club rather than the continuation of United's revival.

The Tayside club cut the gap at the bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership to five points on Saturday, while Thistle's goalless draw with Kilmarnock left them two points off sixth-placed Dundee.

When asked if he had sympathy for his former club, Archibald said: "No, not really. It could be us and I don't think anybody would feel sorry for us. They are within touching distance now and that would have been their aim.

"Partick Thistle are involved in this game as well.

"I know all the media are enjoying their comeback story and it's great, but we have something to fight for as well.

"Our incentive is to get into the top six and, if we win this game, it gives us a chance to do that."

Archibald wants his players to show more conviction on the ball than they did in their previous Firhill encounter.

"We have got to find that quality on the ball when teams are pressing us as hard as Kilmarnock did," he said.

"We have got to be brave on the ball. There is a lot at stake and we need to go and win this game."

Abdul Osman and Liam Lindsay are both doubtful for Partick.

Lindsay (hamstring) missed the draw against Kilmarnock while Osman has picked up a knock.

Stuart Bannigan remains out with a knee injury and the midfielder is awaiting the results of a scan.

Dundee United manager Mixu Paatelainen admits his team will need to play the conditions as well as Partick Thistle at Firhill.

Thistle have suffered several postponements this season with large areas of the pitch heavily sanded and heavy rain in Glasgow since their home draw against Kilmarnock on Saturday has caused further stress to the surface.

The game is not in any danger given the forecast but Paatelainen knows his players cannot afford to take risks in their own half.

The Finn said: "We have had very evenly-balanced games against Partick Thistle this season and I expect this one to be very similar, maybe one goal one way or the other. Hopefully it goes our way.

"Conditions will play a role, how the ball is passed on the deck, because not every surface is immaculate at this time of year.

"You get on with it, it's no problem at all. We will possibly look at how we play, possibly look at how we go about it and make sure we don't shoot ourselves in our own leg because of the surface.

"But it's the same for both teams. Partick Thistle are a passing team and if the surface is not immaculate, they suffer.

"I know their ground staff will do everything to make sure conditions are as good as possible."

United defender Coll Donaldson is suspended for the game with Partick. The centre-back was sent off during United's victory over St Johnstone on Saturday.

Back-up goalkeeper Luis Zwick (knee) is absent.


Source: PAR