Preview: Dundee vs. Airdrieonians - prediction, team news, lineups

Dundee, aiming to recover from back-to-back 6-0 defeats, will host Airdrieonians at Kilmac Stadium at Dens Park on Saturday afternoon for their Scottish Cup fifth round tie.

The hosts secured their place in this round with a 1-0 win against rivals Dundee United, while the visitors defeated Dumbarton 5-1 in their fourth round matchup.

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Match preview

Dundee secured an encouraging sixth-placed finish in their first year back in the Scottish Premiership last term, finishing with 42 points from 38 games, but the Dark Blues have failed to replicate that success so far this season.

Twenty-five matches into the 2024-25 campaign and Dundee find themselves embroiled in a relegation battle, placed 10th in the top flight with 27 points from 25 matches, only a point above 11th-placed Ross County in the relegation-playoff spot.

Tony Docherty's men initially remained unbeaten in their opening nine matches across all competitions, but they managed just five wins in the 17 matches that followed, alongside 11 defeats and one draw.

While they enjoyed a brief upturn in form with two wins and two draws, Dundee have endured a miserable last two outings, suffering humiliating 6-0 defeats to both Hearts and Celtic in successive games.

That leaves this match as highly-important for the hosts, with a win desperately needed to boost their spirits, and despite their struggles, they should be confident against lower-league opposition.

Airdrieonians are rock bottom of the Scottish Championship table after 22 games played, having managed only 12 points from three wins, three draws and 16 losses, leaving them 10 points adrift of safety.

However, after securing just six wins in their first 28 matches, they have recently discovered new-found form, winning their last three games coming into this clash.

While that will give them a much-needed boost ahead of facing Scottish Premiership opposition, Rhys McCabe's side will be the underdogs on Saturday, particularly given their record against Dundee in past years.

Airdrie have lost two of their last three meetings over the past three years, including devastating losses in 2022 (6-2 after extra-time) and in 2024 (6-1).

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Team News

Dundee will be without both Billy Koumetio (unspecified) and Scott Fraser (groin) for this match due to ongoing injury issues, with the duo unlikely to return until later this month.

Back-to-back 6-0 defeats means it is likely that Docherty will make several changes to his starting team here, though top scorer Simon Murray is likely to keep his place in attack.

As for Airdrieonians, three successive wins in the build-up to this match may mean that McCabe decides to name a similar starting 11 on Saturday afternoon.

Ben Wilson has scored four goals in his last three appearances for Airdrie, and he is expected to lead the line ahead of Lewis McGrattan, Chris Mochrie and Adam Frizzell here.

Dundee possible starting lineup: Carson; Astley, Robertson, Shaughnessy; Ingram, Sylla, Garza, Larkeche; Tiffoney, Palmer-Houlden; Murray

Airdrieonians possible starting lineup: Wright; MacDonald, Graham, Watson, Strapp; Gallagher, McMaster; McGrattan, Mochrie, Frizzell; Wilson

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We say: Dundee 2-1 Airdrieonians

The hosts will be desperate to record a positive response to their dismal back-to-back 6-0 losses, and with the backing of their home crowd against a struggling lower-league side, we believe Dundee will manage a narrow win here.

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

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