Boxing Day brings us a bottom-half clash in the Scottish Premiership with Dundee set to take on a struggling Ross County at The Scot Foam Stadium at Dens Park.
This is the first time that these two will face off at this venue this season, but the Staggies won 2-0 when they met in Dingwall back in September.
Match preview
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Dundee will be out for revenge this week, as it was this very opponent who handed them their first defeat of the season in the reverse fixture, which also turned out to be the first of three consecutive losses leading up to the October international break.
Since then, the Dark Blues have struggled for consistency, winning four, drawing one and losing five of their last 10 matches, which sees them enter this one with just 19 points after 17 games this season.
In their last outing, Tony Docherty's side suffered a 1-0 defeat on the road to Rangers, marking their fifth away game in the top flight without victory, four of which ended in defeat, with a 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock being the only expectation in that time.
At home, though, Dundee are currently riding a three-game win streak with victories over Kilmarnock, Hibernian and Motherwell, while they also scored three or more goals in each of those matches.
If the hosts are able to avoid defeat here, it would be the first time they have gone unbeaten in four consecutive home games since February, while a victory would mark the first-ever time they have won four in a row at home in the Premiership.
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Meanwhile, after spending the last two seasons battling the drop, Ross County look likely to struggle for survival again this term, having only managed 15 points from their 18 matches to date.
The Staggies have been in freefall over the last few weeks, losing each of their last four league matches on the bounce, with the most recent defeat coming last weekend 2-1 at home to St. Mirren.
Don Cowie's side now hold the unwanted record of having the longest active losing streak in the division and conceded 13 times during that period, taking their goals-against tally to 35 - the joint-worst in the league alongside Kilmarnock.
Their struggles are not just down to defensive frailties, though, as they have only netted 14 goals this season - the fewest in the Premiership - five less than second-worst Killie with 19 to date.
Unfortunately for Ross County, a victory this week seems highly unlikely given their away record, as they have not won any of their eight away games this term (W0 D3 L5), and failed to score in six of those matches.
Team News
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Clark Robertson and Ziyad Larkeche have both made significant strides forward in their recoveries from a thigh and hamstring injury respectively, but this match has likely come a little too soon to see them return to the squad.
Scott Fraser is reportedly a few weeks away from a return to fitness, while long-term absentee Joe Shaughnessy has started light training following surgery to his knee and should be back in action in late January.
Last week, Cowie explained that an initial scan showed that Alex Samuel had torn a thigh muscle and now faces another lengthy period on the sidelines after starting just two matches following recovery from a cruciate ligament injury.
Joining Samuel on the sidelines this week will be Ross Laidlaw and Will Nightingale, both of whom are only expected to resume first-team duty in the New Year owing to a knee and groin injury respectively.
Dundee possible starting lineup:
Carson; Portales, Astley, Koumetio; McGhee, Sylla, Mulligan, Robertson; Cameron, Tiffoney; Palmer-Houlden
Ross County possible starting lineup:
Hamilton; Allardice, Lopata, Wright; Efete, Randall, Nisbet, Harmon; Chilvers; Hale, White
We say: Dundee 2-0 Ross County
While Dundee suffered back-to-back defeats leading up to this match, both those games were on the road, while at home, they are gunning a fourth straight win and scored 11 goals in their last three.
Ross County, on the other hand, are in freefall right now, currently riding a four match losing streak and they are yet to win a match on the road this term. We feel the hosts should be able to take the points in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
