Two teams at opposite ends of the Scottish Premiership table will clash on Saturday evening, as relegation-threatened Dundee host Rangers at the Kilmac Stadium at Dens Park.
The hosts are 11th in the table with 31 points from 30 league matches, while the visitors are second in the standings with 62 points from 30 outings.
Match preview
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Dundee initially made a strong start to the 2024-25 season, remaining undefeated in their opening nine matches across all competitions and four games in the Scottish Premiership.
However, a first defeat of the term to Ross County (2-0) sparked a significant downturn in form for the Dee, and while there have been small periods of improved results, it has become an increasingly worrying campaign for Tony Docherty.
Docherty's side are now 11th in the league table, a significant slip from their sixth-placed finish last season, but they are only one point behind 10th-placed Kilmarnock.
Dundee have 31 points from 30 matches, after eight wins, seven draws and 15 defeats, and challenging matchups with Rangers and Hibernian, sandwiched around a clash with St Mirren, mean they could be in a precarious position once the season splits.
Docherty will be looking for his men to build on their recent 4-2 triumph over Dundee United when they take on Rangers, looking to secure three points that could be the difference between relegation and survival come the end of the campaign.
Rangers will undoubtedly be the favourites heading into the match, though, as the Gers boast 31 points more than their hosts, with 62 points from 19 wins, five draws and six defeats.
Despite sitting in second place in the Scottish Premiership, the 2024-25 campaign has been full of difficulties for the Gers, including former boss Philippe Clement being dismissed due to a string of poor results that have resulted in Rangers currently trailing Celtic by 13 points.
While the league title is all but wrapped up, Rangers will be hoping to delay Celtic's title celebrations, and a recent 3-2 victory over their Old Firm rivals would have boosted them heading into the final games of the term.
The Gers have avoided defeat to Dundee in any of the last 16 meetings across all competitions, with 13 wins and three draws during that period, including a 1-1 draw in January.
Team News
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The hosts are expected to be without Billy Koumetio, Clark Robertson, Juan Portales, Scott Fraser and Sebastian Palmer-Houlden due to ongoing injury issues.
Following a fantastic 4-2 victory over rivals Dundee United prior to the international break, which ended a five-game winless run, Docherty could name a similar side in this one.
As for the visitors, Neraysho Kasanwirjo is anticipated to be the only absentee due to injury, with the defender unlikely to make an appearance until next month.
Leon Balogun was taken off in the victory against Celtic due to injury concerns, meaning Robin Propper may join John Souttar and Dujon Sterling in central defence, with James Tavernier and Ridvan Yilmaz playing from wide positions.
Elsewhere, Barry Ferguson, who is taking charge until the end of the season, is expected to name a similar team to the one that secured the victory in the Old Firm derby.
Dundee possible starting lineup:
Carson; McGhee, Shaughnessy, Donnelly, Larkeche; Mulligan, Sylla, Cameron; Adewumi, Murray, Tiffoney
Rangers possible starting lineup:
Butland; Sterling, Souttar, Propper; Tavernier, Barron, Raskin, Yilmaz; Diomande; Cerny, Dessers
We say: Dundee 1-3 Rangers
The hosts may be boosted by their recent derby victory, but the visitors are undoubtedly the favourites to secure the victory, and we expect Rangers to comfortably win this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
