TWO clubs separated only by three points in the Scottish Premiership table meet at Rugby Park on Saturday afternoon as 11th-placed Kilmarnock plays host to seventh-placed Dundee in a fixture that appeals to me for goals.
Kilmarnock found it tough to juggle domestic and European football at the start of the season, as they lost each of their opening three Premiership fixtures by an aggregate score of 9-0.
Derek McInnes’s men did improve and went on a five-match unbeaten run (W2-D3-L0), including a 1-0 over Rangers at Rugby Park.
However, since then, Killie have gone on to lose four of their last five Premiership outings (W1-D0-L4) – including a 1-0 loss at St Johnstone last weekend – to leave them just three points above the two Edinburgh clubs below them in the table.
Dundee began the campaign by going on a four-game unbeaten run, but Tony Docherty’s side went on to lose six of their next eight Scottish Premiership matches.
However, despite going a goal down after just two minutes, The Dark Blues managed to record back-to-back home wins for the first time this season, as they thrashed 10-man Hibs 4-1 to move up into seventh in the Premiership table, just three points behind sixth-placed St Mirren with a game in hand.
How the bookies view it: Killie unconvincing favourites
Despite being on a three-match losing run, Kilmarnock have been installed as favourites, with the Ayrshire club priced at 47/50 with Kwiff.
The Dark Blues are priced at 11/5 to claim just their second away win of the season, with the draw trading at 39/20.
Head to head: Topsy-turvy clashes so far this season
These two sides have faced off twice at Dens Park this season, with both having a 3-2 win apiece.
Remarkably, in both of those matches, the winning side has come from 2-0 to win 3-2.
Players to watch: More goals for Matty against the Dark Blues?
Matty Kennedy is Killie’s leading scorer in the Premiership with four goals, and remarkably, three (75%) of those have come against their visitors.
Boyhood Dundee fan Simon Murray is the Dark Blues leading scorer in the Premiership with four and is always a danger.
Probable line-ups
Defender Stuart Findlay and Kyle Magennis remain out until the new year, whilst Liam Donnelly is suspended following his red card last week.
Dundee will likely be without the match-winner when these two sides last faced, Ziyad Larkeche, as well as Joe Shaughnessy and Julien Vetro.
Kilmarnock: McCrorie, Wright, Mayo, Ndaba, Deas, Lyons, Armstrong, Kennedy, Watson, Watkins, Vassell
Dundee: Carson, Portales, Astley, Koumetio, McGhee, Cameron, Mulligan, Sylla, Robertson, Murray, Palmer-Houlden
Anything else catch the eye?”
Goals have been a feature of Dundee’s matches in the Scottish top flight this season, with their opening 13 matches in the Premiership averaging a league-high 3.62 goals per game, with Over 2.5 Goals banking in 10 (77%) of them.
Kilmarnock’s opening 13 Premiership encounters have averaged an impressive 3.15 goals per game, with Over 2.5 Goals paying out in eight (62%) of them.
The past two meetings between the pair this season have seen Over 2.5 Goals payout – a 3-2 win for either side – and betting on goals is the way I’m keen to attack this game in Ayrshire on Saturday.
This Scottish Premiership match between Kilmarnock and Dundee will be played on Nov 30, 2024 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Kilmarnock vs Dundee prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
