Dundee began life under Steven Pressley on Saturday afternoon as they welcome Airdrieonians to Dens Park in their opening match in Group C in the Scottish League Cup.
Dundee were unable to replicate their sixth-placed finish in the Scottish Premiership the season before last season, as they required a final-day victory away at relegated St Johnstone to seal their top-flight status for this season, on an afternoon where our man Mark landed a couple of winners.
That wasn’t enough to save Tony Docherty’s job, with the Dundee hierarchy making the surprise appointment of Steven Pressley as new head coach, his first managerial job since managing Carlisle United in 2019 and first in Scotland since leaving Falkirk back in 2013.
Airdrieonians were on the brink of automatic relegation to the Scottish League One last season, before Hamilton Accies' points deduction gave them a second chance in the relegation/promotion playoffs.
Rhys McCabe’s men won home and away at Stenhousemuir in the semi-finals (2-1 & 1-3), before squeezing past Cove Rangers 2-1 on aggregate to seal a third successive season in the Scottish second tier.
How the bookies view it: Dundee heavy favourites
As expected, Dundee have been installed as short-priced favourites, with BoyleSports pricing them up at just 2/7 to collect all three points.
A shock win for Airdrieonians is 13/2 with the same firm, whilst the draw is 9/2.
Head to head: Dark Blue to demolish Diamonds again?
Dundee knocked The Diamonds out of both cup competitions last season, thrashing them 6-1 in the second round of the League Cup last August and 4-0 in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup at the beginning of February.
However, Rhys McCabe will look to his side's 1-0 victory over The Dark Blues in this competition the year before in the group stage.
Players to watch: Murray to get off the mark?
Dundee captain Simon Murray had a terrific personal season for Dundee last season, scoring 16 goals in the Premiership. The ex-Hibs and Dundee frontman scored after a minute in their friendly win at Brechin City last weekend, and appeals to me to get on the scoresheet here.
Predicted line-ups:
Steven Pressley may name a similar starting 11 to the one that won 0-3 at Brechin City in a friendly last week, with captain Simon Murray expected to lead the line.
Chris Mochrie was rested and Rhys Armstrong dropped to the bench in their friendly defeat with St Mirren in midweek, so may be introduced back into the starting 11 at Dens on Saturday.
Dundee: Carson, Ingram, Astley, Koumetio, Graham, Crombie, Digby, Yogane, Robertson, Acquah, Murray
Airdrieonians: Melrose, MacDonald, McGinty, Gallagher, McStravick, Henderson, McCabe, Ross, McGrattan, Barjonas, King
Anything else catch the eye?
As alluded to, Dundee defeated Airdrieonians in both cup competitions last season (6-1 & 4-0), and you would fully expect Steven Pressley to get his reign as Dundee head coach off to a winning start.
BoyleSports have the Dark Blues at Evens to score three or more goals against The Diamonds for a third consecutive meeting, and that appeals to me here.
Dundee’s matches at Dens Park last season were regularly entertaining, with Over 3.5 Goals landing in all three of their League Cup matches there last season, and a repeat pays 6/5 at BoyleSports.
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