Dundee host Ayr United in a potentially pivotal clash at the top of the Scottish Championship table on Tuesday.
The visitors, who currently occupy third position, head to Dens Park one point behind their forthcoming opponents as both sides look to chase down Queen's Park at the summit.
Match preview
© Reuters
Having been relegated after finishing rock-bottom of the Scottish Premiership last season, Dundee are aiming to bounce straight back to the top division under Gary Bowyer.
The former Salford City boss replaced Mark McGhee in charge last summer, with the 51-year-old's best period in charge so far being a five-match winning streak either side of the Scottish Championship's short winter break in December.
In their 10 league matches since, the Dee have failed to put together consecutive victories at all, illustrating their inconsistency and how Queen's Park have opened up a seven-point gap at the top of the division after Bowyer's side played out a goalless draw away to Partick Thistle at the weekend.
However, Tuesday's meeting with promotion rivals Ayr represents a game in hand for both teams, increasing the importance of collecting all three points if they are to remain firmly in the automatic promotion hunt.
© Reuters
Ayr, meanwhile, would not have expected to be in contention for promotion to the Scottish Premiership whatsoever this season, having only narrowly avoided relegation in each of the previous two campaigns.
Indeed, the Honest Men finished eighth two seasons running, avoiding the playoffs due to goal difference in the 2020-21 season, before finishing four points ahead of Dunfermline Athletic last time around.
Their survival was partially courtesy of Lee Bullen's appointment in January at the beginning of last year, with the former Sheffield Wednesday caretaker boss clearly doing great work in his first permanent managerial role.
Having not competed in Scotland's top division since being relegated at the end of the 1977-78 season, Bullen would write his name into the club's history books forever should he end 45 years of hurt via promotion this season.
Team News
Dundee could remain without Cillian Sheridan for the rest of the campaign, with the 34-year-old suffering with an Achilles tendon rupture.
Providing he has no concerns regarding fatigue, Bowyer may choose to go with the same starting XI that secured a point away to Partick on Saturday.
Likewise, Bullen is unlikely to see any reason to make changes to his team after they bagged an impressive 2-0 victory away to Hamilton Academical at the weekend.
Ben Dempsey and Sam Ashford scored the winning goals for the visitors, who will hope to carry out a similarly dominant performance on Tuesday.
Dundee possible starting lineup:
Legzdins; Mulligan, Ashcroft, Sweeney, Marshall; Cameron, McGhee, Williamson; McMullan, Robinson, Hannant
Ayr United possible starting lineup:
Albinson; McAllister, Musonda, McGinty, Reading; Ashford, Dempsey, Murdoch, McAlear, O'Connor; Akinyemi
We say: Dundee 1-0 Ayr United
With Queen's Park putting a considerable gap between themselves and these two chasing sides, Tuesday's clash is likely to be a cagey affair given the amount at stake.
Promotion arguably means more to Ayr given their 45-year exile from the top flight, but Dundee could have a little too much quality for their opponents.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Brett Curtis
