First Team

MATCH PREVIEW | KILMARNOCK (H)

8th February 2023

Kilmarnock stand between ourselves and a place in the Scottish Cup Quarter-Final - brush up on everything you need to know about the Ayrshire outfit.

CLICK HERE to get involved in Scottish Cup Saturday at Tannadice!
Familiar Foe

After this weekend, the sides will have met in every domestic competition this season, having already clashed three times in the cinch Premiership and once in the ViaPlay Cup Quarter-Final back in October.

The Terrors opened their 2022/23 league campaign at Rugby Park - a laser-guided Dylan Levitt strike being agonisingly cancelled out by Ash Taylor's back-post volley deep into stoppage time.

 Last time out in the city of Discovery, a rampant United swept their opponents aside with a clinical 4-0 win thanks to goals from Kieran Freeman, Glenn Middleton, Jamie McGrath and Dylan Levitt once more.

In fact, the Welsh international has found the back of the net three times in his last five outings against Saturday's opposition. 

Killie's Story of the Season

Derek McInnes is yet to oversee an away win in the Premiership with his Kilmarnock side, losing eleven of their 13 matches on the road whilst picking up a point in the outliers. 91% of Kilmarnock's points have been attained in Ayrshire.

Out of Killie's last 16 visits to Tannadice, they've departed Tayside victorious just once - a run stretching back to 2008/09.

 

However, an impressive victory over Heart of Midlothian in Gorgie saw them advance into the last eight of the ViaPlay Cup - Innes Cameron's early strike the winner.

Despite conceding three fewer goals than Aberdeen, Kilmarnock comfortably possess the worst goal difference in the division, with -23.

At the other end, a physically imposing squad poses a threat from set-pieces, with 48% of their goals coming from dead-ball scenarios.

Window Shopping

Liverpool defender Luke Chambers made a loan switch to Ayrshire during the winter window, whilst Kyle Vassell was plucked from the free agents market.

Kilmarnock did lose talisman Kyle Lafferty however due to a 'disciplinary issue', and were dealt a further blow when cult hero Jordan Jones was recalled by parent club Wigan Athletic after the deadline.

If You Know Your History

United legend Doug Smith, who played over 600 matches for the club between 1958-1976, has turned out the most times versus Scotland's oldest Premiership club - racking up 28 appearances.

Jon Daly netted a historic 5,000th United league goal in a thrilling 4-4 draw with Kilmarnock back in January 2010, sending Cammy Bell the wrong way from the spot.

Andy Robertson's cup double against Killie during our run to the final in 2013/14 was enough to make him the top scorer in this fixture. (Scottish Cup)

One To Watch

Daniel Armstrong has proved to be United's bête noire this season, netting the winner on our last two visits to Rugby Park.

The mercurial winger strikes at a rate of 0.36 goals per 90, and has created a respectable 1.52 chances per 90 -  consequently topping Killie's goal and assist charts.

A product of both Hamilton Academical and Wolverhampton Wanderers' academy, the 25-year-old recently committed his future to the club by putting pen-to-paper on a two-year extension.

Scottish Cup Heritage 

Killie have raised the Scottish Cup three times during their 154-year history, with their most recent triumph coming in 1997. Furthermore, they partook in the first-ever Scottish Cup match against now-defunct side Renton.

The Terrors kissed silverware last in 2010, a sun-drenched Hampden proving an apt setting for a convincing 3-0 win over Ross County in the Final.

Back the team as they continue their conquest for further glory - CLICK HERE to buy your ticket!

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