AFTER beginning their Premiership campaigns with a draw last weekend, Dundee and Hearts face off in the new teatime slot on Premier Sports on Saturday at Dens Park in what should be a watchable affair.
Dundee began their Scottish Premiership campaign with a trip across the road to their rivals Dundee United and had to twice come from behind to rescue a point in what was an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Tony Docherty’s men have also been entertaining in the Scottish League Cup, with The Dark Blues winning all four of their matches to top the group, slamming in 18 goals in the process.
After finishing the Scottish Premiership in third position behind the Old Firm last term, Hearts will be hoping to kick on once again this season and, if not break into the top two, then finish best of the rest, once again.
Steven Naismith’s men kicked off the new Scottish Premiership campaign last Saturday in the lunchtime kickoff and played out a goalless draw with Rangers in a match where the capital club were impressive in large parts.
How the bookies view it: Jambos slight favourites
The bookies have installed Hearts as favourites, with an away win priced up at 5/4 with Betfred. The hosts are priced up at 11/5 to collect all three points, whilst William Hill are offering 27/10 for a stalemate.
Head to head: Hearts with the upper hand
These sides faced off four times in the Premiership last term, and after Dundee won the first last August, Hearts went on to win each of the next three, including a 2-3 victory on their last visit to Dens Park in February.
Players to watch: Shankland to strike again?
Lawrence Shankland was the Scottish Premiership’s top scorer last term, slamming in 24 goals and is always Hearts’ most likely goalscorer.
New signing Sebastian Palmer-Houlden has scored four goals across his last three appearances in league and cup for Dundee, including their first equaliser at Tannadice last week.
Probable line-ups
Scott Tiffoney looked sharp when he came off the bench at Tannadice last week and may come in from the start here.
Jambos boss Steven Naismith would’ve been happy with his side's performance against Rangers last week and may opt for a similar starting 11.
Dundee: McCracken, Portales, McGhee, Graham, Tiffoney, Cameron, McCowan, Sylla, Larkeche, Murray, Palmer-Houlden
Hearts: Clark, Taylor, Kent, Rowles, Penrice, Devlin, Grant, Dhanda, McKay, Shankland, Vargas
Anything else catch the eye?”
Goals were a feature between these two sides last season, with their three meetings since the turn of the year yielding 13 goals, and another high-scorer could be on the cards at Dens on Saturday.
Over 2.5 Goals landed in each of those matches – and given 4/5 (80%) of Dundee’s contests in league and cup this term have produced at least three strikes – I’m happy to combine Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals, which pays 10/11 at Bet365.
Last season’s Premiership top scorer Lawrence Shankland has scored three goals across his last two appearances against Dundee – including twice in a 2-3 victory in his previous visit to Dens – and is an appealing 11/10 to net anytime with William Hill.
This Scottish Premiership match between Dundee and Hearts will be played on Aug 10, 2024 and kick off at 17:30. Check below for our tipsters best Dundee vs Hearts prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
