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

Dundee and Hibernian will kickstart their 2025-26 Scottish Premiership campaigns when they meet at Dens Park on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts are heading into this clash having recorded back-to-back victories, while the visitors are coming into this one after being eliminated from the Europa League qualifying rounds by Midtjylland.

Match preview

Dundee returned to the Premiership as they lifted the Scottish Championship trophy in 2022-23, and the Dark Blue enjoyed a superb first campaign back in the top flight as they finished sixth in 2023-24.

Dundee were unable to reach those same heights last term as they endured a difficult campaign, finishing 11th in the pre-split campaign before climbing to 10th in the standings during the post-split fixtures, narrowly securing their survival by just four points.

Tony Docherty was dismissed at the end of the campaign, with Steven Pressley appointed as his successor, and after a rocky start to life at Dundee, the new boss has seemingly got to grips with his side.

The Dee lost their opening two competitive fixtures under Pressley, losing 1-0 to both Aidrieonians and Alloa Athletic - leaving their elimination from the Scottish League Cup group stage already confirmed.

Dundee were able to improve in their final two matches in Group C, winning 3-1 against Bonnyrigg Rose and 5-0 against Montrose, leaving them in far stronger form coming into this one.

The same can not be said for their opponents Hibernian, who have lost one and drawn one of their opening two competitive fixtures of the campaign as they were eliminated from the Europa League qualifiers in the second round by Midtjylland.

Regardless of their poor start to the campaign, Hibs will be looking to start the Scottish Premiership on an improved footing, ultimately aiming to replicate their third-placed finish from last term.

David Gray's side secured 58 points from their 38 league games last term, meaning they finished five points ahead of fourth-placed Dundee United.

However, a rocky end to the campaign saw Hibs win just one of their five post-split fixtures, and that form has continued throughout pre-season and their opening 2025-26 games.

That victory - a 3-1 win over Dundee Utd - is one of just two wins in their last 12 matches across all competitions, while they are without a win in their last four leading into this one.

Dundee form (all competitions):

Hibernian form (all competitions):

Team News

Simon Murray was Dundee's top scorer last season with 16 goals in the Scottish Premiership, and with two goals already in four Scottish League Cup matches, the forward will be looked upon to make the difference again here.

Murray is likely to start alongside Emile Acquah and Drey Wright in the front three, while Finlay Robertson and Paul Digby could start in the centre of midfield.

As for Hibernian, Kieron Bowie and Martin Boyle scored 21 league goals between them last term, and the pair are likely to start alongside Jamie McGrath in this one.

Dylan Levitt and Josh Mulligan are expected to feature in midfield, while Chris Cadden and Jordan Obita should start from wider positions.

Dundee possible starting lineup:

Carson; Astley, Koumetio, C Robertson; Ingram, Digby, F Robertson, Garza; Wright, Acquah, Murray

Hibernian possible starting lineup:

Smith; O'Hora, Kiranga, Iredale; Cadden, Levitt, Mulligan, Obita; Boyle, Bowie, McGrath

We say: Dundee 2-1 Hibernian

Dundee were significantly improved in their last two Scottish League Cup games, and with Hibernian winning only two of their last 12 matches across all competitions, we believe the hosts will win this one.

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