St Johnstone square off against Dundee on Saturday afternoon searching for the win that may provide them with some breathing space above the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, visitors Dundee currently sit in seventh position in the Scottish Premiership standings, just two points adrift of sixth with a game in hand.
Match preview
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With Livingston already 10 points adrift at the bottom of the table, the teams above them are effectively battling to avoid a relegation playoff.
St Johnstone fall into that category, not helping themselves with four consecutive defeats during February, but they fared much better before the international break.
Craig Levein witnessed his team register an impressive 2-0 victory away at Aberdeen before playing out a 1-1 draw with Livingston, a frustrating result in the circumstances.
Losing 3-1 at Celtic was also a disappointment, yet St Johnstone were able to keep things respectable in terms of scoreline when goal difference could prove decisive later in the season.
Just five league defeats have been posted at McDiarmid Park in 15 matches this campaign, but St Johnstone have not prevailed at their home ground since the middle of December.
Opponents Dundee sit just eight points clear of St Johnstone in seventh, highlighting that Tony Docherty's side still have work ahead to fully end any concern over relegation.
Nevertheless, their focus will be on gate-crashing the top six, something which has been made achievable by their 1-0 victory over Aberdeen back on March 13.
The late postponement of the fixture against Rangers meant that they were unable to build on that win, yet possessing a game in hand means that their fate is in their own hands.
On a negative note, Dundee have been poor on their travels during 2023-24, winning just three times in 15 games as well as their only away win in three months coming at the home of bottom-placed Livingston.
Team News
Levein must decide whether to stick with the back three from the game with Celtic or revert to a defensive four from the draw with Livingstone.
A more attack-minded 3-4-3 may be the preference, Connor Smith being brought back into the team in an advanced central role after his goal against Celtic as a substitute.
Nicky Clark will also expect to feature in a similar role, unless he is used in attack as an alternative to Adama Sidibeh.
Doherty has revealed that Trevor Carson, Zach Robinson, Jordan McGhee and Ryan Howley are all in line to return to the Dundee squad for this contest.
While goalkeeper Carson could plausibly return between the sticks, the remainder of the side from the win over Aberdeen over two weeks ago could stay the same.
St Johnstone possible starting lineup:
Mitov; McGowan, Gordon, Considine; Keltjens, M. Smith, Phillips Robinson; C. Smith, Carey; Clark
Dundee possible starting lineup:
Carson; Portales, Shaughnessy, Donnelly; Costelloe, Cameron, Sylla, McCowan, Dodgson; Tiffoney, Main
We say: St Johnstone 1-1 Dundee
Although St Johnstone lost at Celtic last time out, they were competitive enough to suggest that they could edge this contest. However, Dundee have gone two games without defeat at a crucial time, and the visitors could do enough to earn a share of the spoils.
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Darren Plant
