RAITH ROVERS are one of the form teams in the SPFL Championship so they won't be daunted by a trip to Dens for this Trust Trophy semi-final clash with Dundee.
The Dark Blues are beginning to show why they are favourites for promotion to the Premiership, losing just once in their last 15 outings. But Rovers have gone 10 games without defeat themselves and sit just six points behind Gary Bowyer's side in the table.
While Ian Murray's men were grinding out a win at Arbroath on Saturday, Dundee could only manage a draw away to bottom-of-the-table Hamilton as they slipped further behind leaders Queen's Park.
But they battered the Spiders 3-0 in their last outing at Dens and five of Dundee's last six games at home have ended in victories. One of those triumphs was a 2-0 victory over Raith so Bowyer will be hoping that's a good omen.
Rovers have been good on the road in this tournament, however, and Murray will head to Dens confident of reaching the final after knocking out fellow Championship sides Cove, Morton and Queen's Park.
How the bookies view it
Dundee's impressive home form makes them odds-on favourites for this one at a best 17/20 with Betway. Raith Rovers look a bit overpriced at 13/4 with Unibet while the draw at 90 minutes pays 13/5 at Betfair.
Recent head to head
Dundee have held the upper hand of late, winning eight of the last 13 meetings and losing just twice. This is the fourth clash of the season and Raith have yet to win, losing 1-0 and 2-1 before a 1-1 draw at Stark's Park.
Players to watch
Bowyer has been chopping and changing in attack so it's hard to tell who will start for Dundee. But winger Paul McMullan usually gets the nod and has chipped in with eight goals this season. He's 6/4 with McBookie to add another to that tally.
William Akio's arrival on loan from Ross County has boosted Raith's options in attack. He could get a start here after two cameos off the bench and is 2/1 at McBookie for a goal at Dens.
Anything else catch the eye?
With a place in the final up for grabs, I'm expecting both managers to field strong teams and it should be an open game. Betting against goals backfired for me in Dundee's quarter-final with Dunfermline so I'm banking on some thrills in this one.
BTTS is 7/10 at McBookie while over 2.5 goals is priced 10/13 at Unibet. If you combine that in a bet builder it pays 11/10 with the same firm.
I'd expect it to be close and that makes the half-time draw a good option at 5/4 with McBookie. Dundee should just have the edge with home advantage and if you back them to win in a game with under 4.5 goals it pays 106/100 in a McBookie bet builder.
This Scottish Challenge Cup match between Dundee and Raith Rovers will be played on Feb 8, 2023 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Dundee vs Raith Rovers prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
