Dundee, aiming to continue their push for a place in the top six, are set to host Motherwell at Kilmac Stadium at Dens Park on Wednesday evening in the Scottish Premiership.
The hosts are seventh in the table with 16 points from 14 outings, just two points outside the top six, while the visitors are fifth in the standings with 19 points from 13 games.
Match preview
© Imago
After brilliantly placing sixth in the Scottish Premiership last season, their first year back in the top flight having secured promotion as champions of the Championship in 2022-23, Dundee would have been aiming for another top-half finish this time around.
Tony Docherty's men initially made a strong start, remaining unbeaten in their opening nine matches across all competitions, six wins and three draws, but they faced difficulties in the following outings.
The Dee have managed just three wins, one draw and seven losses from the subsequent 11 fixtures, seeing them fall down the table and out of the top six altogether.
However, a slight resurgence in recent weeks, in which Dundee have won two and drawn one of their last four, has kept them in the running for a top-half finish, heading into this game trailing sixth-placed St Mirren by just two points.
The hosts could also move onto level points with Motherwell if they secure all three points here, though the visitors have played one game fewer so far this season.
As for the Steelmen, their campaign so far has been marked by extreme inconsistency, with stretches of largely positive results repeatedly followed by spells riddled with defeats.
They kickstarted the campaign with three wins from four Scottish League Cup group games, resulting in them only narrowly progressing in top spot ahead of Partick Thistle, who finished with just one point fewer.
Stuart Kettlewell's men followed that with a draw and defeat in their opening two league games, but a run of six wins and just one defeat in the next seven fixtures across all competitions followed.
Motherwell have failed to keep that form going in the past weeks, however, with the Steelmen coming into this game having managed just two wins in their last seven, losing five in that time.
Kettlewell will be particularly disheartened by his side's 3-0 defeat to Hibernian in their last outing, a team that had been bottom of the league going into the match and winless in nine consecutive games.
Looking to bounce back and bolster their push for a top-six finish, Kettlewell will be hopeful his side can deliver a strong performance here and secure all three points.
However, Motherwell's recent record against Dundee will offer the Steelmen little comfort, with just one win in their last six encounters, alongside two defeats and three draws.
Team News
![Stuart Kettlewell file photo of Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell, who is looking to tie down the majority of his squad before pre-season as he revealed every player knows where they stand ahead of Sunday s final game - 22/04/2023 [on July 26, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/30/stuart-kettlewell_1.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Stuart Kettlewell file photo of Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell, who is looking to tie down the majority of his squad before pre-season as he revealed every player knows where they stand ahead of Sunday s final game - 22/04/2023 [on July 26, 2024]")
© Imago
The hosts will remain without Joe Shaughnessy, who has not made an appearance since April, and Ziyad Larkeche, who has been absent since mid-November, with both expected to return later this month.
Having secured two wins, one draw and only one defeat in their last four league outings, Docherty could opt to name a similar starting team for this one.
The visitors are dealing with an injury crisis heading into this game with up to six players set to miss out, including Callum Slattery, Jack Vale, Paul McGinn, Ross Callachan, Sam Nicholson and Stephen O'Donnell.
A hugely disappointing 3-0 defeat last time out against Hibernian, who were bottom of the table prior to the encounter, could mean Kettlewell makes a number of changes to his side here.
Dundee possible starting lineup:
McCracken; Astley, Portales, Koumetio; Mulligan, McGhee, Sylla, Cameron, Robertson; Palmer-Houlden, Murray
Motherwell possible starting lineup:
Oxborough; Casey, Gordon, Balmer; Kaleta, Paton, Halliday, Seddon; Robinson, Maswanhise
We say: Dundee 2-1 Motherwell
Dundee are enjoying a period of improved form heading into this game, while Motherwell have lost their last two matches, and with the Dee also boasting the home advantage, we expect the hosts to win here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
