Falkirk vs Dundee United Prediction: A 3/1 away win feels like a value bet

The Scottish Premiership returns with the opening weekend of an eagerly anticipated 2025/26 season. Celtic are the defending champions and favourites to retain the crown after winning a double last term. It’s a new-look Rangers under manager Russell Martin and the American board of investors, while Hearts manager Derek McInnes aims to smash the Old Firm’s dominance with a welcome summer cash windfall.

The schedule brings three games on Sunday, with two broadcast live on television. Sky Sports shines the spotlight on Falkirk vs Dundee United in the Central Lowlands. The Bairns won promotion to the top flight thanks to a dominant showing in the Championship last time. They welcome a Dundee United side that finished in the top four, and Betfred’s Frank Monkhouse expects The Terrors to spoil the party as he takes us through his Falkirk vs Dundee United Predictions...

*You can check out all of the Football Odds from the plethora of games available to bet on over on betfred.com

How will Falkirk perform now they’re back dining at the top table of Scottish football following an extended absence? Fans must wait and see, but John McGlynn led the club out of the Championship thanks to an impressive run, finishing three points clear of runners-up Livingston. They scored 72 goals during that title-winning season, meaning the Bairns will prove a welcome and exciting addition to the Premiership.

Dundee United performed better than expected in the previous campaign, securing a fourth-place finish in the Premiership. Critics claimed The Terrors would be happy to make up the numbers, with keeping their place in the top flight the best they could hope for. But Jim Goodwin’s side held their own, winning 15 and drawing eight of their league matches to secure European football. United will compete in the Conference League qualifying rounds.

Falkirk vs Dundee United TV

It is a bumper weekend for SPL fans, with no fewer than four of the six matches live on Sky Sports. This is the second game to host the Live TV cameras, with kick-off set for 14:00 on Sky Sports Football. You'll also be able to stream the match via Sky Go.

Falkirk vs Dundee United Odds

The home win is available to back at 10/11. A draw is a 13/5 shot with Dundee United priced-up at 3/1.

Falkirk enjoy the home advantage and will entertain a packed Falkirk Stadium on Sunday. Those in attendance will create a special atmosphere on the Bairns' return to the top division, with Scottish football fans worldwide keeping pace with the match live on Sky Sports.

The locals would dearly love to mark the occasion with an emphatic win, proving they belong at this level. Will they secure all three points to race into a strong position after week one? You can bet on a Falkirk win at 10/11 on the Betfred website and app.

Dundee United start this season on solid foundations. They fully deserved their place in the top four last term and came close to beating Hibs to the bronze medal position before falling off the pace in the closing weeks.

It’ll be interesting to see how Dundee United juggle involvement in Europe with their Premiership responsibilities. We’ve seen many Scottish teams outside of the Old Firm struggle with the pressure of playing twice a week. But that’s a problem for another time. This early in the season, it can only make them sharper. Back the visitors at an astonishing 3/1 or try the draw at 13/5 with Betfred.

Both teams to score

Our first bet on Falkirk’s big day is for both teams to score. Being the opening weekend of fixtures, we don’t have too much to work off from the stats, but we can take our lead from how both teams performed last season.

Falkirk were the highest scorers in the Championship by a fair distance, but also conceded six more goals than their nearest rivals, Livingston. That defence will come under heavy pressure on Sunday.

Dundee United were the lowest scorers in the top six last season with 45 goals, one fewer than Motherwell, who finished down in eighth. But they were playing at a higher level than their opponents, and Premiership experience will count in their favour, especially on an afternoon when emotions will be running high in the home end.

Falkirk are determined to put on a show for their fans, while Dundee United are eager to get off to a winning start. Add both teams to score to your weekend accumulators.

Dundee United win

The head-to-head stats show Falkirk and Dundee United last met in competitive action in the League Cup last season. Interestingly, the Bairns won 2-0 at home thanks to goals from Dylan Tait and Ross MacIver.

That’ll encourage the home support, but I’m picking the away dressing room to claim their revenge with a Premiership win. The odds are good enough to take as a single, and really jumped off the page at me as a value play.

The visitors were in Europa Conference League action on Thursday evening at Tannadice when facing UNA Strassen. That outing will ensure they are fitter and more battle-ready than their opponents.

I don’t expect Dundee United to crush Falkirk, proving the gulf in class that exists between the Premiership and Championship, but I am picking Goodwin’s side to grind out the victory, setting themselves up for another entertaining year. The odds are just too good to ignore.

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Frank Monkhouse Scottish Football P/L

25/26 Season:

• Points Placed: 4
• Points Returned: 3.52
• P/L: -0.48

24/25 Season:

• Points Placed: 257
• Points Returned: 252.25
• P/L: -4.75

Frank Monkhouse covers Scottish Football for us here at Betfred Insights. You can check out all of his work along with that of the rest of our Football Betting Tips desk on our main Football page...