Scottish Championship: Dundee United and Raith Rovers' title race heats up

Ross Docherty and Sam StantonSNS

Dundee United and Raith Rovers could not be separated when they played in October and are two points apart in the Scottish Championship table

By Amy Canavan
BBC Scotland

Who was worried there might not be a title race in the Scottish Championship this season?

Raith Rovers would like a word with anyone who allowed that thought to cross their mind over the summer.

Many will understandably have expected Dundee United, who dropped down from the Scottish Premiership last term, to comfortably lead the way in the second tier.

While they largely have done so, they are not top right now and have never had any breathing space when at the summit.

Rovers have been the embodiment of the Scottish Championship, with the drama they cause and then celebrate the reason the second-tier of Scottish football is much loved.

Some fans will likely still be recovering from their thrilling 4-3 win against Partick Thistle live on BBC Scotland last Friday.

Since then, they have beaten Arbroath thanks to a 95th-minute winner that took them above United by two points, albeit having played a game more.

Jim Goodwin's United are up next in a mouthwatering meeting of the league's top-two sides.

Former Tannadice striker Steven Thompson believes it is set up to be "a fantastically intriguing game".

'This could go all the way'

It's only the middle of December, so Saturday's game cannot be season-defining, but it is surely the most compelling game of the campaign so far.

Rovers are a formidable force, especially given the mentality that means they are an incredibly dangerous side right up until the final whistle is blown - as this last week has shown.

They have claimed a remarkable 17 points from the 85th minute of matches. It is the mindset of champions, many would suggest.

However, former Tangerines boss Ian McCall questioned how long that can last on the Scottish Football Podcast.

"Is that sustainable over a season? I don't know. They'll probably think it is," said the Clyde manager.

"It'll be a terrific game with a great crowd - the atmosphere will be red hot."

United have recent experience of wrestling their way out of the second-tier shackles. In 2019-20 a Lawrence Shankland-inspired side freed themselves from the gruelling schedule and they will be expected to do so again.

Thompson, though, does not think it will be straightforward.

"It looks like a two-horse race for the title this season," said the Sportscene host.

"United have been consistent. There's no doubt about that, but Raith have also been excellent. Wednesday's result was absolutely huge for them.

"It is set up to be a fantastically intriguing game on Saturday. I don't think it'll be season-defining, but I don't think many United supporters would have thought they would've been getting challenged so strongly.

"We've sometimes seen in the past the bigger sides in the Championship have run away with it, but you get the feeling this could go all the way this season between these two sides."

Neither have shown any signs of letting up, and they could not be separated when the sides met at Stark's Park in October.

United came from behind to earn a draw with Rovers that day, and the return game is perfectly set up for a thriller at Tannadice on Saturday.

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