Kilmarnock, looking to end a disappointing three-game losing streak, are set to host Dundee to Rugby Park on Saturday afternoon in the Scottish Premiership.
The hosts are 10th in the standings with just 12 points from their opening 13 games, while the visitors are seventh in the table with 15 points from their first 13 fixtures.
Match preview
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Kilmarnock have endured an extremely difficult start to the 2024-25 season, having managed just four wins from their opening 20 matches across all competitions.
They started the campaign without a victory in their first five matches, losing three and drawing two, before eventually securing their first win against Tromso IL (1-0) in the second leg of their Conference League qualifying third-round tie, seeing them progress into the playoff round.
However, that victory failed to kickstart their campaign, with Kilmarnock subsequently failing to win any of the next seven, suffering three losses, including an elimination from the Conference League against Copenhagen.
Their form briefly improved with wins over Dundee, Rangers and Hearts in a four-match stretch, but they have since suffered three consecutive losses heading into this game.
Those results leave them sitting 10th in the table with just 12 points, only three points above the bottom two, though Derek McInnes's side have played one fewer game than those around them.
Kilmarnock will now be coming into this match aiming to bring an end to their losing streak and looking to put distance between themselves and the relegation places.
Dundee could prove to be a tough opponent for Killie, with the visitors heading into this one sitting seventh in the standings with 15 points from 13 games.
They enjoyed a positive start to the season, winning six of the first nine outings across all competitions, before suffering six losses in seven fixtures, winning the remaining match against Motherwell.
Tony Docherty's side have stabilised in their last outings though, having secured two wins in their last three matches, beating Saturday's opponents 3-2 and Hibernian 4-1, sandwiched around a 4-1 loss to Aberdeen.
The visitors will now look to replicate their recent victory over the hosts in this one, aiming to close the gap on the top six places in the league, with sixth-placed St Mirren just three points above them.
Team News
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Kyle Magennis and Stuart Findlay are both ruled out of this match for Kilmarnock, with neither expected to return to action until the new year due to ongoing injury issues.
Liam Donnelly will also be absent for the hosts after being sent off in their last defeat to St Johnstone due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
As for the visitors, Joe Shaughnessy, Julien Vetro and Ziyad Larkeche are all expected to be out of action until at least December due to ongoing injury concerns.
After beating Hibernian 4-1 in their last outing, Docherty could name a similar starting team for this one, with Sebastian Palmer-Houlden continuing in attack with Simon Murray.
Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
McCrorie; Mayo, Wright, Deas; Ndaba; Lyons, Mackay-Steven, Watson, Kennedy; Watkins, Vassell
Dundee possible starting lineup:
Carson; Portales, Koumetio, C. Robertson; Mulligan, Sylla, McGhee, F. Robertson; Cameron; Palmer-Houlden, Murray
We say: Kilmarnock 1-2 Dundee
Dundee were victorious in this fixture at the beginning of the month, and with Kilmarnock falling to defeats in both of the two games since, while Dundee won their last outing, we believe the visitors will win again here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
