Two teams only separated by goal difference in the Scottish Premiership standings will clash on Saturday afternoon when Dundee host Hearts at the Kilmac Stadium at Dens Park.
The hosts are eighth in the table with 27 points from 23 games, while the visitors are ninth in the standings also with 27 points, though they have played a game more than their opponents.
Match preview
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After starting the season unbeaten in their first nine matches across all competitions, recording six wins and three draws, Dundee's form took a change for the worse in the following 15 outings.
The Dee went on to lose 10, win four and draw one of their next 15 matches, results that saw them rapidly drop down the table and edge closer to the dreaded drop zone.
However, Tony Docherty's men have appeared to steady the ship in recent outings, winning three, drawing two and losing just one of their past six matches, leaving them in significantly improved form heading into this one.
A victory on Saturday for the Dee could see them move into the top six for the first time since matchday nine depending on results elsewhere, with seventh-placed St Mirren and sixth-placed Hibernian both three points above Dundee with 30 points.
Dundee also boast the advantage of a game in hand on the rest of the league, though that is a difficult matchup against Celtic, after their clash was postponed due to stadium damage following a storm.
They are likely to face a challenging opponent on Saturday, with Hearts heading into this game as the joint-most in-form team in the division, alongside Rangers.
Hearts, in contrast to their hosts, endured a miserable start to the 2024-25 season, failing to win any of their first 10 matches across all competitions, with eight losses and two draws.
That run not only saw Hearts crash out of the Europa League in the qualifying rounds, relegating them to the Conference League, but also included the dismissal of Steven Naismith as their manager.
Neil Critchley was eventually appointed as the new permanent boss at Tynecastle Park, and the former Blackpool manager has made an immense impact on the Jambos.
Critchley guided the side to back-to-back victories in his first games in charge before winning just two of the following 12 outings across all competitions, but they have seemingly found their feet in recent weeks.
Hearts are now heading into this one having won five, drawn two and lost only one of their past eight games, helping them climb out of the relegation zone and into ninth.
The Jambos will be looking to extend that strong form on Saturday, and they should be confident given their recent record against Dundee, having won four of the last five meetings with just one loss.
Team News
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Dundee will be without the services of Billy Koumetio (unspecified), Joe Shaughnessy (knee), Jordan McGhee (hamstring), Juan Portales (hamstring), Scott Fraser (groin) and Ziyad Larkeche (hamstring) due to injuries.
The hosts have been afforded an 11-day break since their last outing due to the match against Celtic being postponed, meaning Docherty's men should be well-rested for this one.
As for Hearts, Calem Nieuwenhof (hamstring), Frankie Kent (muscle) and Stephen Kingsley (hamstring) are all not expected to feature due to ongoing injury issues.
Having enjoyed a spectacular run of form in the past weeks, Critchley could decide to keep faith in his side and name a similar starting 11 for this one.
James Wilson has played a big part in their recent resurgence, contributing four goals and one assist in the league, and the 17-year-old is expected to lead the line once again here.
Dundee possible starting lineup:
Carson; Astley, Robertson, Donnelly; Mulligan, Sylla, Garza, Ingram; Adewumi, Robertson; Murray
Hearts possible starting lineup:
Gordon; Forrester, Neilson, McCart, Penrice; Grant, Baningime, Devlin, Spittal; Kabangu, Wilson
We say: Dundee 1-2 Hearts
The visitors are enjoying a strong run of form heading into this game, and given their record over the past meetings with Dundee - four wins and one loss from the last five - we believe Hearts will win this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
