Dundee and St Johnstone will hope to kick off the new year on a winning note in the Scottish Premiership. The Saints are currently three points behind the hosts in 10th place in the rankings. The hosts are currently in seventh place.
Preview (Dundee vs. St Johnstone)
With just one victory in their previous six top-division games (D2, L3), Dundee has recently struggled to find success. Kilmarnock scored two goals in the dying minutes to take the lead. It appeared as though Dee would lose the match. However, Joe Shaughnessy’s goal in the 95th minute ensured that his team would escape from Rugby Park with a point. Dundee has now conceded at least two goals in five of their last six games. They managed to salvage a 2-2 draw from their away trip this past weekend.
Despite their four-game winning streak against St Johnstone, their chances of winning could be dampened by the fact that their last three meetings have ended in a draw. Hibernian was defeated on December 16. St Johnstone has lost their last three games and will be eager to win all three points. Following their narrow victory against Hibs, the Saints lost their next two games against Rangers and Kilmarnock. They drew goallessly with Livingston on Wednesday.
After failing to win any of their ten away league games this season (D4, L6), those three outcomes ultimately made their road troubles worse. As a result, they currently have the worst away record in the division. St Johnstone is aware that they must find a method to score more goals in the final third if they are to win an away Scottish Premiership game for the first time since May, having managed just two goals in their previous ten league travels. For their first game of the new year, Craig Levein’s team will resume their travels, and they will be eager to increase the meager one-point margin that separates them from Ross County, which is now in 11th place.
Team News
Due to a knock, Dundee forward Diego Pineda will miss his second straight game, and fellow Mexican Antonio Portales is still out with a hamstring issue. In addition, the hosts are unsure about the availability of Zach Robinson, a striker, and Ricki Lamie, a defender. After sitting out Saturday’s tie with Kilmarnock, Malachi Boateng and Zach Rudden may be added back to the starting lineup.
Regarding the guests, they would be unable to function without the assistance of Drey Wright, Sam McClelland, Ali Crawford, Cammy MacPherson, and Ross Sinclair. Maksym Kucheriavyi is also questionable for play after being substituted during the first half of Livingston’s goalless draw last Wednesday. After both Ryan McGowan and Fran Franczak were unable to play against Livingston due to sickness, Levein will be hoping to have them available.
Dundee 1-1 St Johnstone
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