Preview: Dundee vs. Livingston - prediction, team news, lineups

Two of the early strugglers in the Scottish Premiership will collide this Saturday as Dundee welcome Livingston to Dens Park as league action returns.

Neither team have been able to secure a victory in the opening four fixtures of the season, with the visitors currently stuck to the foot of the table.

Match preview

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Dundee will be searching for their first win of the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, and facing bottom-of-the-league Livingston could prove to be the perfect opportunity for them.

James McPake insisted his squad were "not that far away" after their 1-0 defeat against Motherwell before the international break, and he will be hoping that the three points come sooner rather than later.

Defensive frailties have proven to be an issue for the Dark Blues so far this season, with no team in the league having conceded more goals than them at this point.

Dundee have failed to keep a clean sheet on their return to the top flight, which has been a cause for concern, although only St Johnstone have scored fewer goals than their opponents this weekend.

The two teams have not faced each other since 2019, and in their last encounter, it was the Dark Blues who earned the victory with a Kenny Miller strike securing a 1-0 win, a result they would happily take this time around.

However, Livingston are also desperate for points in order to get themselves away from the relegation zone, with David Martindale's squad having lost every game in the league so far this season.

Having only scored two goals along the way, it has been a difficult start to the season for the Lions who were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Hibernian in their most recent performance.

Livingston were able to take some positives from the Scottish League Cup where they have made it through to the quarter-finals after defeating St Mirren in the second round, and Martindale will be hoping his team can channel that same spirit.

They are the only team in the league to have not recorded a point at this stage in the season, but a victory on Saturday would see them leapfrog their opponents.

Away from home, Livingston have struggled in all competitions as of late and their last victory on the road actually took place back in July when they defeated Brechin 3-0, meanwhile, Dundee are yet to be beaten at home this season.

Team News

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Dundee had to substitute experienced midfielder Charlie Adam during their defeat to Motherwell due to a groin problem, but McPake was confident that he would be fit and available for this fixture.

They will also be boosted by the returns of Jordan Marshall and Alex Jakubiak, who should both be back in contention after dealing with niggles prior to the international break.

However, the biggest addition to the team will come from Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths, who joined the Dark Blues on loan for the season in order to regain his fitness, with his goalscoring ability potentially being a huge difference-maker for the club.

Livingston continue to deal without Jack McMillan and Jaze Kabia due to their long-term knee problems, but Marvin Bartley will be available, should the assistant manager deem himself needed.

Bruce Anderson is expected to continue leading the line for his team, while Jason Holt will sit in front of the back four, shielding them in the defensive midfield position.

Dundee possible starting lineup:
Legzdins; Marshall, Fontaine, Ashcroft, Kerr; McMullan, Adam, Byrne, McCowan, Anderson, Griffiths

Livingston possible starting lineup:
Stryjek; Devlin, Obileye, Fitzwater, Penrice; Holt, Bailey, Sibbald, Shinnie, Forrest; Anderson

We say: Dundee 1-0 Livingston

Neither team have set the league alight yet and both are in a desperate need of points in order to push away from the relegation zone, which is what makes this such an intriguing fixture.

It could be a cagey battle with the desire to not lose being paramount, but Dundee have enough attacking quality and a strong home record that could see them earn the victory.