Preview: Dundee vs Dundee United - prediction, team news, lineups

The first Dundee derby of the 2025-26 season is set to take place on Sunday afternoon as Dundee host Dundee United at Dens Park.

The hosts have lost one and drawn two of their first three league matches, while the visitors have drawn one and lost one of their two fixtures.

Match preview

Following Dundee's Scottish Championship title winning season in 2022-23, the Dark Blue enjoyed a superb first year back in the top flight as they secured a sixth-placed finish.

However, Dundee were unable to replicate that achievement last season as they fell into the relegation battle, finishing 11th in the pre-split season before managing to narrowly secure their survival by four points at the end of the campaign.

Tony Docherty was sacked at the end of the season for failing to match expectations, with Steven Pressley appointed to lead the Dark Blue into the 2025-26 term, but the new boss has struggled in his first games.

Pressley lost to both Airdrieonians and Alloa Athletic in the first two matches of the Scottish League Cup group stage, which confirmed their early elimination from the group despite winning their last two group fixtures.

Dundee's difficult start to the season has continued in the opening Scottish Premiership games, with the Dark Blue losing 2-1 to Hibernian on matchday one, followed by back-to-back draws with Rangers - where Dundee were denied victory by a 92nd-minute James Tavernier equaliser - and Kilmarnock.

Now looking for their first win of the campaign, Dundee will be hoping to continue their two-match winning streak in Dundee derbies, having won 4-2 and 1-0 in the last meetings.

Dundee United are also facing their own challenges at the beginning of this season, having already suffered elimination from the Conference League qualifiers - losing to Rapid Vienna on penalties - and the Scottish League Cup - defeated by Kilmarnock.

Jim Goodwin’s side also remain winless in the Scottish Premiership, drawing with Falkirk after twice surrendering leads and then falling 3-2 to Hearts, devastatingly conceding a 94th-minute winner.

The Tangerines have played a game fewer than their Dundee rivals as their clash with Aberdeen was postponed due to the Dons' involvement in the Europa League qualifiers.

Goodwin will be desperate for his side to put an end to their disappointing run of results, and the Tangerines will be confident going into the clash as they have lost only one of the last six Scottish Premiership Dundee derbies, recording two wins and three draws in that time.

Dundee Scottish Premiership form:

LDD

Dundee United Scottish Premiership form:

Dundee United form (all competitions):

WDDLDL

Team News

Dundee are anticipated to be without the services of Paul Digby and Charlie Reilly for this first Dundee derby of the season due to ongoing injury issues.

A back five of Drey Wright, Ryan Astley, Clark Robertson, Luke Graham and Imari Samuels have started each of the last two league games, and the same defence is expected to be named on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Dundee United are dealing with a number of injuries heading into Sunday's clash, with Isaac Pappoe, Kristijan Trapanovski, Ross Graham and Ryan Strain all unlikely to feature.

Ivan Dolcek has scored three of Dundee United's four league goals at the beginning of this season, and the Tangerines are likely to rely on the Croatian to make the difference again here.

Dundee possible starting lineup:

McCracken; Wright, Astley, C Robertson, Graham, Samuels; Westley, Jones, F Robertson; Murray, Dhanda

Dundee United possible starting lineup:

Kucherenko; Iovu, Esselink, Keresztes; Stephenson, Sevelj, Sibbald, Ferry; Sapsford, Watters, Dolcek

We say: Dundee 1-2 Dundee United

Dundee may have won the last two encounters with the Tangerines, but the hosts have triumphed in only one of their last 12 home league matches, and with Dundee United having a longer preparation time ahead of this clash, we expect the visitors to win.

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