Dundee will host St Johnstone at Kilmac Stadium at Dens Park in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, with both teams aiming to build on their recent victories.
The hosts are sixth in the table with nine points from eight games, while the visitors are ninth in the standings with seven points from their first nine fixtures.
Match preview
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Dundee enjoyed a superb 2023-24 campaign, unexpectedly finishing sixth in their first year back in the top division having secured promotion by winning the Scottish Championship title in 2022-23.
Their form did suffer towards the closing stages of the season, failing to win any of their last eight matches, three draws and five defeats, but they had seemingly put that to bed at the beginning of this term.
Tony Docherty, who has been in charge since May 2023, guided the side to an unbeaten start in the opening nine fixtures to the 2024-25 season across all competitions, winning six and drawing three.
However, a first defeat of the term against Ross County started a disappointing run for the Dee, losing four consecutive matches across all competitions, but they finally bounced back with a narrow 1-0 win against Motherwell last time out.
Now looking to build upon that victory, Docherty will be hopeful that his team can achieve back-to-back wins as they face a St Johnstone side that they have not lost to in their last six encounters, recording three wins and three draws.
St Johnstone have been fighting against relegation from the Scottish Premiership for the past three seasons, managing to survive with a relegation playoff victory after finishing 11th in 2021-22, followed by ninth place in 2022-23 and 10th in 2023-24.
They have faced yet another challenging beginning to the 2024-25 term, managing just one win in their opening eight league fixtures, losing six and drawing one in that spell.
Craig Levein was sacked just five matches into the season, with Andy Kirk and Alex Cleland briefly taking charge on an interim basis before Simo Valakari was appointed.
The Finnish manager was appointed before the 2-0 defeat to Rangers but watched from the stands as Kirk and Cleland led the team, finally making his touchline debut in St Johnstone's last match, celebrating a dream start with a convincing 3-0 victory over Ross County.
Like Dundee, St Johnstone will be looking to build on their recent victory with another positive result on Saturday, aiming to create some distance from the relegation zone at this early stage of the season.
Team News
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Joe Shaughnessy has been sidelined since a 0-0 draw with Rangers in April, and the defender is not expected to return from injury until November.
Jordan McGhee has also been ruled out due to an injury, while Scott Fraser may miss out after being forced off in the 77th minute of their victory against Motherwell last time out.
Elsewhere, after winning their first game in six in their last outing, Docherty could opt to name the same starting team in this one.
St Johnstone will remain without the services of Uche Ikpeazu and Sam McClelland for this match due to injury issues, while Sven Sprangler could miss out after coming off with an injury concern against Ross County.
Having secured a brilliant win in their first game under new boss Valakari, the Finnish manager could name a similar starting 11 for this encounter.
Dundee possible starting lineup:
Carson; Astley, Koumetio, Robertson; Ingram, Cameron, Robertson, Sylla, Larkeche; Main, Murray
St Johnstone possible starting lineup:
Sinclair; Wright, Sanders, Neilson, Raymond; Smith, Essel, Holt; Clark; Sidibeh, Mbunga-Kimpioka
We say: Dundee 1-1 St Johnstone
Both teams ended their winless streaks with victories in their last matches, and with them appearing evenly matched heading into this one, we anticipate a draw here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
