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

Two sides who were in action across the Boxing Day schedule reconvene for a clash in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, when Kilmarnock host Dundee.

With some games falling victim to the weather, both Killie and Dundee were able to play, but there were differing outcomes for the two.

Match preview

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Kilmarnock have failed to win any of their previous four meetings against Dundee, a run that was extended earlier this season when they drew 2-2 at Dens Park.

Despite playing against 10 men for almost an hour, Killie took a late lead but then threw the victory away in stoppage time, before manager Derek McInnes was sent off shortly after.

That came after losing both legs of the Premiership's relegation playoff to Dundee in 2021, going down 4-2 on aggregate.

However, Killie are the side in form heading into this one, as a superb run in their last five has seen them collect 13 points to catapult them up the table into fourth.

They may have played all 20 scheduled fixtures so far with no postponements, but McInnes would much rather have points on the board than games in hand.

Killie currently sit on 30 points, four clear of St Mirren in fifth, meaning they have breathing space in a potential Europa League spot come the end of the season, depending on the Scottish Cup winners.

All importantly in that regard, Kilmarnock are nine points clear of the relegation group at present, and ending the regular season in the top six will almost certainly guarantee European qualification.

While Dundee have recent form against Kilmarnock, they have been struggling of late in the Premiership.

After having their home clash with Aberdeen postponed shortly before Christmas, Dundee went on to lose 3-0 against Celtic on Boxing Day, meaning they now have just one win in five games.

In that time, they have also lost to Rangers and Hibernian, while only managing a 3-3 draw with a 10-man Motherwell side.

Despite the recent blip though, Tony Docherty's side are still in a good position to make a charge for the top six, due to the fact they have two or three games in hand on the sides above them.

Team News

There are just two injury concerns for Kilmarnock heading into this one, with attackers Kyle Magennis and Innes Cameron both out with hamstring injuries.

Liam Polworth dropped to the bench on Wednesday as Matthew Kennedy returned from a brief absence to take his place in the starting XI.

A fine performance from the Northern Irishman means he is set to keep his place in the side too, so Kilmarnock could remain unchanged.

Dundee will be without Mexican defender Juan Portales, who has missed the last two matches since going off with a hamstring problem against Rangers earlier this month.

Likewise with the hosts though, there is unlikely to be much personnel change to the side with no new injury concerns, despite being thoroughly dominated by Celtic on Boxing Day.

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:

Dennis; Mayo, Deas, Findlay; Armstrong, Lyons, Watson, Kennedy, Ndaba; Vassell, Watkins

Dundee possible starting lineup:

Carson; Kerr, Shaughnessy, Donnelly; McGhee, Cameron, Boateng, McCowan, Beck; Bakayoko, Rudden

We say: Kilmarnock 2-0 Dundee

Kilmarnock will feel confident of extending their excellent record in the league to five wins from six here against a Dundee side faltering slightly.

Despite a strong recent record against Killie, the visitors were completely dominated by Celtic earlier this week and could find it tough again.

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