In each side's first game of their respective Scottish Premiership campaigns, hosts Falkirk will face Dundee United at Falkirk Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Falkirk's promotion last term sees them compete in the top division of Scottish football for the first time since since 2009-10, whereas Dundee United impressed with their fourth-placed finish in the top flight and are hoping to push up the table.
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Falkirk vs Dundee United prediction: Strong defences
Key Stats
- Falkirk have played four games so far this season – all in the Scottish League Cup – and have kept three clean sheets, conceding once.
- Dundee United have kept two clean sheets in their two Conference League qualifying games this term.
- The visitors only scored 1.2 goals per match last term in the top flight – the ninth best record – but but they kept the third most clean sheets (12), only behind Rangers (14) and Celtic (21).
Correct score prediction: Falkirk 1-2 Dundee United
Falkirk performed excellently in the second tier, but it could take them some time to adjust to the Premiership, and it would not be surprising if Dundee United started their domestic season in strong form.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Falkirk backed by the bookmakers
- HOME: 10/11 (1.91) – 52.4%
- DRAW: 13/5 (3.6) – 27.8%
- AWAY: 14/5 (3.8) – 26.3%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Falkirk are the expected winner of this clash, with a probability of 52.4%, but the bookmakers would not be surprised if they dropped points.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Falkirk better of late
Neither side have faced each other in a league match since 2019, but Falkirk did triumph in their two most recent meetings, winning 2-0 in July 2024 in the League Cup and 4-2 in November 2023 in the Scottish Cup.
Scotland League Cup 13/07/24
Falkirk
Dundee Utd
Scotland League Challenge Cup 17/11/23
Falkirk
Dundee Utd
Scotland League Cup 25/07/23
Falkirk
Dundee Utd
Scotland Championship 27/04/19
Dundee Utd
Falkirk
Scotland Championship 23/02/19
Falkirk
Dundee Utd
Falkirk preview: Back-to-back promotions
Falkirk won the Scottish League One title in 2023-24 before winning the Scottish Championship in 2024-25, and they have won three of their four games in 2025-26, including 4-0 against Spartans on July 26.
Attacking midfielder Dylan Tait managed to net four goals in three starts in the League Cup, and he is certain to start on Sunday.
Predicted lineup: Bain (GK), Adams, Neilson, Henderson, McCann, Arfield, Spencer, Tait, Ross, Miller & Graham
UK Friendlies 08/07/25
W
St Johnstone
0
Falkirk
1
UK Friendlies 05/07/25
W
Raith
2
Falkirk
4
UK Friendlies 28/06/25
L
FC Edinburgh
3
Falkirk
2
Scotland Championship 02/05/25
W
Hamilton
1
Falkirk
3
Scotland Championship 25/04/25
L
Partick
2
Falkirk
1
Dundee United preview: European dreams alive
Dundee United beat UNA Strassen 1-0 twice in July to reach the third round of the Conference League qualifiers, with a two-legged tie against Rapid Vienna awaiting them later this month.
The visitors will likely select striker Zac Sapsford, who will be expected to replace Sam Dalby's impact, having left upon the expiry of his loan deal.
Predicted lineup: Kucherenko (GK), Iovu, Esselink, Keresztes, Sevelj, Sibbald, Camara, Ferry, Dolcek, Sapsford & Trapanovski
Scotland Premiership 10/05/25
L
St Mirren
2
Dundee Utd
0
Scotland Premiership 03/05/25
L
Hibernian
3
Dundee Utd
1
Scotland Premiership 26/04/25
L
Celtic
5
Dundee Utd
0
Scotland Premiership 12/04/25
W
St Johnstone
0
Dundee Utd
1
Scotland Premiership 06/04/25
W
Hearts
0
Dundee Utd
1
Player to watch: Dylan Tait
If Falkirk have ambitions of winning on Sunday against their experienced opponents, they will need Tait to be at his productive best.
Falkirk midfielder Dylan Tait has started the 2025-26 season in fine form, scoring four goals in four League Cup games, double the amount of goals he managed to score in 33 games in the second tier with the club last term.