Dundee and Kilmarnock are set to come face to face at the Kilmac Stadium at Dens Park for the second time in the 2024-25 Scottish Premiership season when they meet on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts were narrowly defeated 3-2 in the earlier encounter, with three goals in the 86th, 88th and 94th minutes handing the visitors a superb comeback victory.
Match preview
© Imago
Dundee enjoyed a superb first year back in the top flight since 2021-22 last season, surprisingly finishing sixth in the table with 42 points from 38 games, with 10 wins, 12 draws and 16 losses.
Their second term has not quite reached the same heights, however, with the Dee sitting 10th in the standings after 10 fixtures with just nine points, from two wins, three draws and five defeats.
Tony Docherty's outfit had started 2024-25 on a strong note, remaining unbeaten in their opening nine matches across all competitions, recording six wins and three draws, but their form has significantly declined in the past weeks.
The Dee have lost six of their last seven outings across all competitions, winning the remaining match against Motherwell, seeing them quickly fall down the table and into the relegation battle.
One of those defeats dramatically came against Sunday's opponents, with Dundee leading 2-0 heading into the final four minutes, only for Killie to score in the 86th, 88th and 94th minutes to secure a breathtaking comeback victory.
That win sparked a run of good results for Kilmarnock, now coming into this game having won three of their last four, only narrowly losing 2-1 to Ross County in that time.
That run marks a significant improvement upon their form earlier in the campaign, which saw Killie win just one of their first 13 outings across all competitions, drawing six and losing six.
Now sitting sixth in the table, just one point above seventh-placed St Mirren, Derek McInnes's side will be aiming for a fourth win in five matches as they look to solidify their place in the top six.
Team News
![Stuart Findlay defender of Kilmarnock FC during the UEFA Europa League Second qualifying round, 2nd leg match between Cercle Brugge and Kilmarnock F.C. at the Jan Breydel stadium on August 01, 2024 [on August 2, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/31/stuart-findlay.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Stuart Findlay defender of Kilmarnock FC during the UEFA Europa League Second qualifying round, 2nd leg match between Cercle Brugge and Kilmarnock F.C. at the Jan Breydel stadium on August 01, 2024 [on August 2, 2024]")
© Imago
The hosts are still without the services of Joe Shaughnessy, who is yet to make an appearance for the Dee this season due to a knee injury that he sustained in April, though he is likely to return later this month.
Trevor Carson is also sidelined due to a knock he received in the 2-1 loss to St Johnstone, meaning John McCracken is likely to start in goal.
As for the visitors, Kyle Magennis, Liam Polworth and Stuart Findlay are all ruled out of this one with injury issues, although the trio are anticipated to return to action this month.
Having secured wins in three of their last four fixtures, McInnes may decide to field a similar starting team here, with Kyle Vassell, Marley Watkins, Matthew Kennedy and Danny Armstrong continuing in attack.
Dundee possible starting lineup:
McCracken; Ingram, Astley, Portales, C. Robertson, Larkeche; Mulligan, Cameron, Sylla, F. Robertson; Murray
Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
McCrorie; Wright, Mayo, Deas, Ndaba; Armstrong, Lyons, Watson, Kennedy; Vassell, Watkins
We say: Dundee 1-3 Kilmarnock
The visitors have enjoyed a much better run of results heading into this match, including the late triumph in this fixture in early October, leading us to anticipate another victory for the visitors.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
