St.Johnstone Vs Dundee

St Johnstone, currently sitting at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership standings, will be aiming to break their winless run when they face Dundee on Sunday at McDiarmid Park in their 22nd match of the 2024-25 campaign. Despite being in dire form, the hosts will look to gain some momentum from their recent 1-1 draw against Hibernian, which came on January 2. The Perth-based club is currently in 12th place with 15 points, while their visitors, Dundee, occupy 9th place with 22 points from 20 matches, following a disappointing 2-1 loss to their fierce rivals Dundee United on Thursday.

The match presents an opportunity for St Johnstone to lift their spirits and possibly turn their season around, especially given their recent performance against Hibernian. Though the team found themselves down to 10 men in the 41st minute after a red card, they managed to hold firm and secure a hard-earned draw. This result provided a rare moment of positivity for the team, which has struggled in the league throughout the campaign. St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari expressed his satisfaction with the players' efforts, noting the resilience and determination displayed under difficult circumstances. He praised the "good, honest performances" from his side, emphasizing that, while the team didn't secure a victory, the draw was a sign of the spirit within the squad. Valakari stressed the importance of maintaining composure despite the team's lowly position, acknowledging that the gap between St Johnstone and the top half of the league had grown but stating that the team's resolve could help them fight their way out of the relegation zone.

However, the reality of the situation is that St Johnstone is in a precarious position. With a 12-point gap separating them from sixth-placed Motherwell, who occupy the final playoff spot for European competition, the team faces an uphill battle to avoid finishing in the relegation playoff positions. Their recent form has been a major concern, with five defeats and two draws in their last seven matches. St Johnstone’s solitary win during this period came in a 2-1 triumph over Dundee on October 26, which remains one of the few bright spots in what has been a disappointing season. The club's form at home has also been far from encouraging. In their last four games at McDiarmid Park, they have managed just one draw and three losses, scoring a modest four goals while conceding seven. This record reflects the team's ongoing struggles to assert themselves at home, a venue where they had hoped to build some form but have been unable to consistently perform.

For Dundee, their own frustrations have been mounting in recent weeks, particularly after their 2-1 defeat to Dundee United in the most recent derby between the two clubs. The Dark Blues have now gone eight derbies without a win, with four losses in this run. The club’s failure to perform in these high-stakes matches has only added to the pressure on manager Tony Docherty, who admitted that while injuries had affected his team’s defensive performance, the result still fell short of expectations. Docherty’s frustration was evident as he expressed his belief that Dundee should have emerged victorious in the match, despite the setbacks caused by injuries. The manager described his feelings of "real frustration and a bit of anger" following the loss, underscoring the growing disappointment around the club's inability to overcome their rivals.

Dundee’s season has been a mixed bag so far. They have shown offensive promise, scoring 30 goals, the fourth-highest in the league, but their defensive record has been much more concerning. The club has conceded 36 goals, which is the third-worst defensive record in the Premiership. This imbalance has hindered Dundee’s ability to climb higher up the table, despite their attacking strengths. The team had hoped that their 2-1 victory over St Mirren on December 29 would spark a change in fortunes, but their subsequent loss to Dundee United was their fourth in their last five matches, further compounding their struggles. Dundee’s recent form, characterized by inconsistency and defensive fragility, has left them unable to find the momentum they desperately need to secure a more comfortable position in the league.

Away form has also been a major issue for Dundee throughout the season. Their record on the road has been poor, with just one win in their last 10 away games, alongside three draws and six losses. This poor run of form away from Dens Park has made it difficult for the team to put together a sustained challenge for a place in the top half of the table. Despite some promising performances at home, Dundee has not been able to translate that form to their away games, and this disparity has contributed to their ongoing struggles. As a result, Docherty’s side will need to find a way to improve their away performances if they are to move up the standings and avoid the relegation battle that looms large for many teams in the lower half of the table.

Heading into Sunday’s match, both teams will have plenty to prove. St Johnstone will be desperate for a win to keep their survival hopes alive, while Dundee will be looking to bounce back from their derby disappointment and regain some form after a challenging period. For St Johnstone, the key to turning their season around will be maintaining the resolve and determination they showed against Hibernian, while hoping to capitalize on Dundee's recent difficulties. For Dundee, improving their defensive stability and finding consistency on the road will be crucial if they are to avoid slipping further down the table. Both clubs will be keenly aware that every point counts as they enter the second half of the season, and this fixture offers an opportunity for one side to gain a much-needed boost while the other will face even greater challenges ahead.

In conclusion, while St Johnstone’s form has been deeply concerning, their recent resilience against Hibernian offers some hope that they might still find a way to escape the relegation zone. The team’s fight and spirit will be tested once again as they host Dundee, who, despite their own struggles, have shown offensive ability but remain vulnerable defensively. The outcome of this match will be critical for both sides as they look to regain momentum in a season that has yet to meet their expectations. With St Johnstone's home struggles and Dundee's poor away form, this match promises to be a tightly contested encounter with both teams in desperate need of a positive result.