St Johnstone are targeting back-to-back Scottish Premiership wins for the first time in over a year when they host Dundee United this week. The Perth side, currently fifth in the table with 11 points, aim to build on their 1-0 away victory over Aberdeen last time out.
That clean sheet at Pittodrie, secured by a Josh Fowler penalty, means they could also record consecutive wins without conceding for the first time since March 2021. Their next challenge is a Dundee United side sitting just one place below them in sixth, with the match set for McDiarmid Park on Saturday.
Recent history is not on St Johnstone's side. They have lost each of their last three league meetings with Dundee United, their longest top-flight losing streak against this opponent in over two decades. The Terrors have also won four of their last seven visits to Perth and could win back-to-back trips to McDiarmid Park for the first time since 2012.
Fowler is central to St Johnstone's hopes of ending that run. The forward is the club's top scorer this season with five Premiership goals, all coming from just 10 shots for a remarkable 50% conversion rate. Six of those efforts have been on target, underlining his efficiency in front of goal. His recent form is a key asset, with three of those five goals coming in his last 157 minutes of league action.
However, St Johnstone's overall recent form has been inconsistent, managing just two wins from their last eight Premiership matches. Dundee United, in contrast, have shown resilience, losing only one of their last five league games. The team will look to Fowler and a solid defensive performance to climb the standings and finally achieve that elusive pair of consecutive victories.
Further reading: bbc.com
