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Dundee logo
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 1
Aug 5, 2023 at 3pm UK
Kilmac Stadium at Dens Park
Motherwell logo

Dundee
1 - 1
Motherwell

Cameron (68')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Bair (45')
Souare (72'), McGinley (79')

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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Scottish Premiership clash between Dundee and Motherwell, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Dundee start life back in the top flight with a home clash against Motherwell on the opening day of the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.

After relegation in 2021-22, Dundee bounced straight back, claiming the Championship title on the final day last season.


Match preview

Dundee finished imperiously to take the second-tier title, returning instantly to the top table of Scottish football.

A 10-game unbeaten run to finish the season is what was required, and scoring 24 goals along the way meant they did it in style.

The Dee were involved in one of the games of the season anywhere across British football on the final day though, as a straight shootout between themselves and Queen's Park meant the winner would go up.

Dundee led 1-0, trailed 2-1 and then led 3-2 before being pegged back to 3-3 all inside the first half, but took control in the second half, going on to win 5-3 to clinch the title.

Despite promotion though, and being named Manager of the Season, Gary Bowyer was dismissed almost instantly, and replaced by Tony Docherty.

The new boss has seen his side show decent form already in the League Cup, but they were eliminated after losing 1-0 to Airdrie.

It has been a busy pre-season for Dundee, as they have played nine matches ahead of their league opener, winning all other eight encounters.

That includes 5-1 thrashings of Bray Wanderers and Brechin City, as well as an impressive win at Fleetwood Town.

Motherwell meanwhile, breezed through their League Cup group, winning three and beating Queen of the South on penalties to finish top.

That has meant a continuation of their strong form with which they finished last season to avoid the drop.

Motherwell have not lost away from home since early February, and the appointment of Stuart Kettlewell has played a big part in that.

Under Stevie Hammell, Motherwell looked doomed, propping up the table early in 2023, but Kettlewell's impact was huge.

The side lost just two of their final 14 games of the season, and took 13 points from a possible 15 in the Relegation Group to make absolutely sure.

The Motherwell faithful will hope for another strong showing this campaign, as survival would mean 40 consecutive seasons in the top flight next year.

Losing last season's top scorer Kevin van Veen may prove to be a big problem though, after the Dutchman netted 29 goals last season.

Dundee form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • W


Motherwell pre-season form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W



Team News

Lyall Cameron will be the one to watch after the 20-year-old won all three personal accolades for Dundee last season.

Cameron is just one of the few survivors in a summer of upheaval at Dens Park, though.

Ten players have come in, but that barely compensates for the fact that 11 have departed, most on free transfers.

There will be one glaring omission from the Motherwell side this season, with no Van Veen up front after he left to join Groningen.

Ex-Morecambe duo Jonathan Obika and Pape Souare have both arrived on free transfers, with the former hoping to fill at least part of the void left by Van Veen.

Calum Butcher remains out with a foot injury sustained last season which has kept him out for almost three months.

Dundee possible starting lineup:
McCracken; Portales, Shaughnessy, Ashcroft; Mulligan, Boateng, McGhee, Tiffoney, Beck; Robinson, Pineda

Motherwell possible starting lineup:
Oxborough; Mugabi, Casey, Blaney; McGinn, Miller, Paton, Souare; Slattery, Wilkinson, Spittal


SM words green background

We say: Dundee 1-1 Motherwell

Both clubs are essentially an unknown quantity given disruption in pre-season.

Dundee have a new manager at the helm while Motherwell have lost their talisman up front, so both may be pleased with an opening day point.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data


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Game History

How you voted: Dundee vs Motherwell

Dundee
70.0%
Draw
30.0%
Motherwell
0.0%
10
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1110103132831
2Aberdeen11101024101431
3RangersRangers11713168822
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd125431813519
5Motherwell116141514119
6St Mirren134361722-515
7Dundee123361824-612
8Kilmarnock123361525-1012
9Ross County132651021-1112
10St Johnstone133191627-1110
11Hearts132381420-69
12Hibernian121561118-78


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