Last-placed St Johnstone will hope to end their winless streak on Sunday when they host Dundee at McDiarmid Park in their 22nd Scottish Premiership fixture of the 2024-25 campaign.
The hosts are 12th with 15 points but did hold Hibernian to a 1-1 stalemate on January 2, while their opponents are in ninth place with 22 points after 20 matchweeks and lost 2-1 against fierce rivals Dundee United on Thursday.
Match preview
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St Johnstone should take confidence from their draw last time out considering they were reduced to 10 men in the 41st minute when the score was 0-0 but still managed to hold out for a point.
Boss Simo Valakari was delighted by his players' effort levels, telling reporters: "We've got a point and there were a lot of good, honest performances. We need calms heads, because we didn't win, the gap has got bigger, but sometimes you have to look behind the point. It was a testament to the spirit and desire in the team, which will take us out of this situation."
However, the club look likely to finish in the relegation playoff spots given they are already 12 points behind sixth-placed Motherwell, who occupy the league's final championship playoff spot.
Valakari's side have lost five and drawn two of their seven most recent outings, though they can at least boast that they beat Dundee 2-1 on October 26.
The hosts' form at home has also been poor having lost three and drawn one of their last four at McDiarmid Park, scoring four and conceding seven in that period.
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As for Dundee, they come into Sunday's match having failed to win against rivals Dundee United once again, with the club winless in the last eight derbies and losing four in that time.
Manager Tony Docherty suggested that injuries in defence contributed to his side's defeat, but that they should still have ultimately won, saying: "[Injuries don't] take away from the fact we should win that game, we should absolutely win that game, and the overriding feeling for myself is one of real frustration and a bit of anger."
Docherty's Dark Blues have scored 30 times and conceded on 36 occasions in the top flight, and these are the division's fourth-best offensive and third-worst defensive records respectively.
Dundee had hoped that their 2-1 victory against St Mirren on December 29 would be the start of a sustained period of positive results, but defeat last time out was their fourth loss in their past five fixtures.
The visitors have struggled away from home for some time considering they have lost six, drawn three and won just one of their 10 most recent away matches.
Team News
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St Johnstone will certainly be unable to call upon suspended midfielder Jason Holt, as well as Cameron MacPherson, who is not scheduled to return until the middle of this month.
Sven Sprangler and Franio Franczak may be joined in midfield by Matthew Smith behind a front line consisting of Adama Sidibeh, Nicky Clark and Benjamin Mbunga-Kimpioka given striker Uche Ikpeazu is injured.
In defence, considering centre-back Sam McClelland is unavailable until the middle of the month, Jack Sanders and Bozo Mikulic could start in front of goalkeeper Joshua Rae.
Dundee FC have several defenders on the sidelines, with Ziyad Larkeche, Jordan McGhee, Billy Koumetio, Antonio Portales and Joe Shaughnessy set to miss out on Sunday.
Ryan Astley, Clark Robertson and Luke Graham started in a back three last time out, and they are likely to do so again on the weekend.
Scott Fraser will not appear in midfield due to injury, so expect Mohammad Sylla and Lyall Cameron to appear together in a double pivot.
St Johnstone possible starting lineup:
Rae; Wright, Sanders, Mikulic, Raymond; Franczak, Sprangler, Smith; Clark, Mbunga-Kimpioka, Sidibeh
Dundee possible starting lineup:
Carson; Astley, Robertson, Graham; Mulligan, Sylla, Cameron, Robertson; Adewumi; Palmer-Houlden, Murray
We say: St Johnstone 1-0 Dundee
St Johnstone have a good opportunity to pick up three points against Dundee, who are likely to be vulnerable defensively as a result of their injury crisis in the backline.
The visitors have also been poor away from home, and while the hosts have not been strong at McDiarmid Park, it is difficult to see Dundee winning on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
