Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic are set to host Dundee FC at New Dundas Park in their first group stage game of Scotland's League Cup on Saturday.
The home side finished eighth in Scotland's League Two with 39 points from 36 games, while opponents Dundee were sixth in the top flight regular season with 41 points from 33 matches, though they ended the overall season in sixth with just 42 points.
Match preview
The hosts will be disappointed that they failed to build on 2022-23's points tally of 42, although considering 2023-24 was just their second season in the fourth tier after being promoted, securing survival was not the worst outcome.
However, it should be noted that Robbie Horn was sacked with six games remaining when Bonnyrigg were just two points above last-placed Clyde, who were 10th at the time.
Calum Elliot was appointed for the last six matches and drew three times, won twice and lost just once.
Considering Elliot's side lost six of the eight league games prior to his appointment, his record should be viewed favourably.
Bonnyrigg scored 12 goals and conceded six goals under Elliot, and across the entire league season they scored on 47 occasions while conceding 42.
Last season in the League Cup, the hosts lost three of their group games in regulation time and lost a fourth on penalties, leading to their elimination from the competition.
Likewise, opponents Dundee FC were knocked out of the League Cup at the group stage, although they did win three of their four matches.
Despite this, the visitors will still have been thrilled with their campaign in the Scottish top flight considering last season was their first back in the competition since being relegated in 2021-22.
In the regular season, Dundee scored 44 times and conceded 54, and these were the division's joint fourth-best offensive and 10th best defensive records respectively.
Manager Tony Docherty will no doubt seek to address this poor defensive record considering that only two teams conceded more.
However, Docherty will at least have been pleased that Dundee avoided being drawn into the relegation playoffs after the end of the regular season.
He has been in charge of the club since May 2023 and took over after previous manager Gary Bowyer was released by the club following a fallout with managing director John Nelms and technical director Gordon Strachan.
Team News
The hosts come into the game with several additions, including midfielders Ben Scarborough and Sean Murphy.
Wingers Kieran Somerville, Brad Rodden and Kallum Higginbotham have also joined the club.
Owen Wardell and Aaron Arnott have further bolstered the squad.
A number of players have also left, including defenders Reis Peggie and Sam Gormley, while defensive midfielder Jonny Stewart has departed on a free transfer.
Conor Doan and Ross Gray have also left, as have Bradley Barrett and Declan Byrne, although the latter pair have not yet found a club.
To add to this, attackers Robbie McGale and Jason Jarvis have both left for free.
As for the visitors, Diego Pineda has not played since November due to a thigh injury and there have been rumours of a potential exit.
Dundee have made several additions to their ranks, including goalkeeper Jon McCracken, as well as defenders Clark Robertson, Ethan Ingram and Luke Graham.
Forwards Simon Murray and Seb Palmer-Houlden have also signed.
There have also been several departures, including defenders Jack Wilkie, Lee Ashcroft and Tyler French.
Defensive midfielder Shaun Byrne has also signed for the club.
Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic possible starting lineup:
Andrews; Mercer, Young, Martyniuk, Grigor; Scarborough, Murphy; Watson, Currie, Rodden; McGachie
Dundee possible starting lineup:
McCracken; Portales, Robertson, Astley; Ingram, McGhee, Gorrin, Cameron, McCowan; Palmer-Houlden, Main
We say: Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic 0-4 Dundee
While Bonnyrigg did manage to avoid relegation, it is difficult to see how they can overcome their opponents given the enormous gulf between Scotland's fourth tier and the Scottish Premiership.
Additionally, given Dundee have made a number of defensive reinforcements as a means of addressing their frailties in the backline, it is fair to say that the top-flight side come into Saturday's clash as strong favourites.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
