Dundee and St Mirren, two teams with contrasting objectives in the Scottish Premiership, will clash on Saturday afternoon when they meet at Kilmac Stadium at Dens Park.
The hosts are 11th in the standings but only a point behind safety, while the visitors are seventh in the table and trail the top six by just one point.
Match preview
© Imago
Dundee United, following their Scottish Championship title victory in 2023-24, secured a superb sixth-placed finish in their first year back in the top flight last season.
The Dark Blues would have been looking to at least replicate that success this campaign, but Tony Docherty's men have instead endured a miserable time this season.
Docherty's side have were undefeated in their first four league fixtures - three draws and one win - but they have managed just seven wins, four draws and 16 defeats in the next 27 outings.
Those results mean Dundee currently occupy the relegation playoff spot in 11th place with only 31 points from 31 games, leaving them five points above bottom-placed St Johnstone and one point behind 10th-placed Kilmarnock.
With only two games remaining before the Scottish Premiership splits in half, leaving just seven fixtures before the true end of the campaign, Dundee must start picking up points if they are to avoid relegation.
However, the Dark Blue have won only one of their last 10 league matches - a 4-3 win against rivals Dundee United - though they will take confidence from the 2-1 victory against St Mirren in their last meeting.
Their opponents are also in desperate need of points in the last two games of the regular season, as they aim to move into the top six and compete for a chance to play in European competition next term.
The Saints are currently placed seventh in the league table with 38 points from 31 games, after 11 wins, five draws and 15 defeats, leaving them just a point behind sixth-placed Hearts.
An underwhelming run of one win in six league fixtures through February and March saw St Mirren drop out of the top six, but they will be hoping they can build on a superb 5-1 victory over Kilmarnock last time to move into the top half.
Stephen Robinson's men do have favourable matchups against Dundee and Ross County before the league splits, but they must now capitalise on those fixtures if they are to have any chance of competing in Europe next season.
Team News
![Stephen Robinson of St Mirren during the UEFA Europa Conference League Second Qualifying Round Second Leg match at the SMISA Stadium, Paisley, on August 1, 2024 [on August 2, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/31/stephen-robinson.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Stephen Robinson of St Mirren during the UEFA Europa Conference League Second Qualifying Round Second Leg match at the SMISA Stadium, Paisley, on August 1, 2024 [on August 2, 2024]")
© Imago
The hosts will continue without the services of Clark Robertson (hamstring), Juan Portales (calf), Scott Fraser (groin) and Seb Palmer-Houlden due to ongoing injury issues.
Simon Murray should start despite being forced off in the final minutes of the late defeat to Rangers, while Lyall Cameron is still unavailable after missing that clash.
As for the visitors, Alex Iacovitti (hamstring), Conor McMenamin (calf), Elvis Bwomono (calf) and Evan Mooney (ankle) will all be unavailable due to injury problems.
Toyosi Olusanya could return to the side after missing out on their last match due to suspension, meaning he could partner Jonah Ayunga in attack.
Elsewhere, the remainder of the team that started in the 5-1 victory over Kilmarnock last time out is expected to start on Saturday afternoon.
Dundee possible starting lineup:
Carson; McGhee, Shaughnessy, Donnelly, Larkeche; Mulligan, Sylla, Robertson; Adewumi, Murray, Tiffoney
St Mirren possible starting lineup:
Hemming; Fraser, Gogic, Taylor; Alebiousu, Phillips, Boyd-Munce, O'Hara, John; Olusanya, Ayunga
We say: Dundee 1-3 St Mirren
Dundee will still be reeling from their 4-3 defeat to Rangers, where they let a 3-1 lead slip, while St Mirren, buoyed by their 5-1 win, are likely to carry that momentum to a victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
