In what is expected to be the fourth and final Dundee derby of the season, Dundee United and Dundee will square off in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.
The visitors are struggling for survival in 11th position in the rankings, while the hosts are in fifth place and competing for a spot in Europe.
After winning the Scottish Championship last season, Dundee United was promoted to the Scottish Premiership and is having an incredible first season back in the top division.
With 41 points from 29 league games—11 wins, 8 draws, and 10 losses—the Tangerines are currently in fifth position, five points ahead of seventh-place Hearts.
Due to injuries, Ross Docherty (thigh) and Louis Moult (calf) will not be able to play for Dundee United until after the forthcoming international break.
Sam Dalby, who will lead the line on Sunday, is currently the leading scorer in the Scottish Premiership with 13 goals in 26 games, including three in his past six.
Dundee's injured players include Sebastian Palmer-Houlden (knee), Juan Portales (calf), Scott Fraser (groin), Clark Robertson (hamstring), and Billy Koumetio (unspecified).
Simon Murray, a forward who has scored in each of his last three league games, should start alongside Lyall Cameron and Oluwaseun Adewumi on Sunday.
Jim Goodwin’s team has encountered a rough patch in recent weeks, managing just two wins in their last nine league matches, alongside one draw and six losses. This slump has put their position in the top six at risk.
A win in Sunday’s clash against their rivals could provide the momentum needed to secure a top-six finish, with crucial upcoming games against Ross County and Hearts potentially shaping the outcome of their season.
On the other hand, Dundee find themselves battling to stay in the Scottish Premiership, sitting 11th in the table with only 28 points from 29 games, having recorded seven wins, seven draws, and 15 losses.
Tony Docherty is likely frustrated with how their season has progressed, especially after last year’s impressive sixth-place finish. With just four games left before the league splits, Dundee are in urgent need of points to bolster their chances of survival.
They are currently three points behind 10th-placed Kilmarnock, but face a challenging run of fixtures against Dundee United, Rangers, and in-form Hibernian. A critical showdown with fellow relegation battlers St Mirren also looms.
Dundee can take some encouragement from their recent 1-0 victory over Dundee United in the Scottish FA Cup, though they haven’t beaten their rivals in the league since May 2016. These final matches will be pivotal in determining their fate.
