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Kilmarnock logo
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 21
Dec 30, 2023 at 3pm UK
Rugby Park
Dundee logo

Kilmarnock
2 - 2
Dundee

Wright (85'), McKenzie (90+3')
Kennedy (24'), Donnelly (83'), (90+6')
FT(HT: 0-1)
McCowan (35'), Shaughnessy (90+5')
Boateng (87')

Preview: Kilmarnock vs. Dundee - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Scottish Premiership clash between Kilmarnock and Dundee, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Two sides who were in action across the Boxing Day schedule reconvene for a clash in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, when Kilmarnock host Dundee.

With some games falling victim to the weather, both Killie and Dundee were able to play, but there were differing outcomes for the two.


Match preview

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes on September 21, 2023© Reuters

Kilmarnock have failed to win any of their previous four meetings against Dundee, a run that was extended earlier this season when they drew 2-2 at Dens Park.

Despite playing against 10 men for almost an hour, Killie took a late lead but then threw the victory away in stoppage time, before manager Derek McInnes was sent off shortly after.

That came after losing both legs of the Premiership's relegation playoff to Dundee in 2021, going down 4-2 on aggregate.

However, Killie are the side in form heading into this one, as a superb run in their last five has seen them collect 13 points to catapult them up the table into fourth.

They may have played all 20 scheduled fixtures so far with no postponements, but McInnes would much rather have points on the board than games in hand.

Killie currently sit on 30 points, four clear of St Mirren in fifth, meaning they have breathing space in a potential Europa League spot come the end of the season, depending on the Scottish Cup winners.

All importantly in that regard, Kilmarnock are nine points clear of the relegation group at present, and ending the regular season in the top six will almost certainly guarantee European qualification.

While Dundee have recent form against Kilmarnock, they have been struggling of late in the Premiership.

After having their home clash with Aberdeen postponed shortly before Christmas, Dundee went on to lose 3-0 against Celtic on Boxing Day, meaning they now have just one win in five games.

In that time, they have also lost to Rangers and Hibernian, while only managing a 3-3 draw with a 10-man Motherwell side.

Despite the recent blip though, Tony Docherty's side are still in a good position to make a charge for the top six, due to the fact they have two or three games in hand on the sides above them.

Kilmarnock Scottish Premiership form:

Dundee Scottish Premiership form:


Team News

There are just two injury concerns for Kilmarnock heading into this one, with attackers Kyle Magennis and Innes Cameron both out with hamstring injuries.

Liam Polworth dropped to the bench on Wednesday as Matthew Kennedy returned from a brief absence to take his place in the starting XI.

A fine performance from the Northern Irishman means he is set to keep his place in the side too, so Kilmarnock could remain unchanged.

Dundee will be without Mexican defender Juan Portales, who has missed the last two matches since going off with a hamstring problem against Rangers earlier this month.

Likewise with the hosts though, there is unlikely to be much personnel change to the side with no new injury concerns, despite being thoroughly dominated by Celtic on Boxing Day.

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
Dennis; Mayo, Deas, Findlay; Armstrong, Lyons, Watson, Kennedy, Ndaba; Vassell, Watkins

Dundee possible starting lineup:
Carson; Kerr, Shaughnessy, Donnelly; McGhee, Cameron, Boateng, McCowan, Beck; Bakayoko, Rudden


SM words green background

We say: Kilmarnock 2-0 Dundee

Kilmarnock will feel confident of extending their excellent record in the league to five wins from six here against a Dundee side faltering slightly.

Despite a strong recent record against Killie, the visitors were completely dominated by Celtic earlier this week and could find it tough again.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


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Written by
Andrew Delaney

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Game History

How you voted: Kilmarnock vs Dundee

Kilmarnock
68.4%
Draw
26.3%
Dundee
5.3%
19
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1514104444043
2RangersRangers1611232891935
3Aberdeen17104331211034
4Motherwell178272327-426
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd166642519624
6St Mirren187382429-524
7Dundee175482730-319
8Hibernian184682430-618
9Kilmarnock184681935-1618
10Ross County183691435-2115
11St Johnstone1742112032-1214
12Hearts1734101826-813


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