DUNDEE will be aiming to return to winning ways in the Scottish Championship when they square off with Raith Rovers at Starks Park on Friday night.
Gary Bowyer’s side were in the midst of a five-game winning streak before crashing to a shock 4-2 defeat at home to Arbroath on Monday.
That setback coupled with results elsewhere means that the Dark Blues have been knocked off their perch by Queen’s Park.
However, Dundee will be presented with the opportunity to move back to the summit of the second tier – at least temporarily – if they can claim three points in Kirkcaldy.
Ian Murray’s men made a winning start to the New Year as they hated a five-game winless run with a 1-0 success at Hamilton last time out.
In doing so, Rovers have re-entered the promotion playoff conversation, and another victory here would see them move to within two points of third-placed Ayr United.
Outright Betting
Despite avoiding defeat in six of their last seven home matches, Raith Rovers head into this televised tussle as 11/5 (Bet 365) underdogs while an all square affair at Starks Park pays out at 9/4/ (Bet 365).
Dundee, who have triumphed in each of the previous two meetings between the pair this term, are 5/4 (William Hill) favourites to repeat the trick on Friday night.
Betting Angles
As the odds suggest, an away win is the most likely outcome, however backing Both Teams to Score makes most appeal at 4/5 (Bet 365).
Raith Rovers have not been accustomed to keeping clean sheets in Kirkcaldy this season, with eight of the 10 Scottish Championship sides to visit Starks Park thus far getting on the scoresheet.
What's more, BTTS has banked on six of those occasions, including each of Rovers’ last four second tier assignments in front of their own supporters.
That being said, Ian Murray’s men have scored in all but two of their 10 league games at home this term to date and they certainly have the tools to trouble a Dundee defence that has been breached in four of their last six road trips.
However, at the other end of the park Gary Bowyer’s side have made the net bulge in a sizeable 17 of their overall 19 league games so far, and they should follow suit against a Raith Rovers rearguard that is far from reliable.
With all things considered, backing each team to oblige at 4/5 (Bet 365) looks the way to go in what should be a keenly-contested Friday night fixture under the Fife lights.
Given that goals are usually on the agenda in Raith Rovers home games, the even-money (Bet 365) about this fixture featuring Over 2.5 Goals also looks enticing.
Each of Raith Rovers’ last seven Championship assignments at Starks Park have produced a minimum of three match strikes, so siding with the same selection here evidently represents value at evens (Bet 365).
This Scottish Championship match between Raith Rovers and Dundee will be played on Jan 6, 2023 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Raith Rovers vs Dundee prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
