The stage is set at Dens Park for a crucial William Hill Premiership clash as Dundee welcome Kilmarnock in a match that could shape the fortunes of both sides heading into 2026. With a 7:45 pm kick-off on December 30, 2025, anticipation is running high among supporters, and the stakes couldn’t be clearer: Kilmarnock arrive trailing Dundee by just three points in 11th place, hoping to close the gap and perhaps spark a turnaround in their season.
It’s been a long, winding journey for Dundee since their last back-to-back wins in the Premiership—a run that stretches all the way back to March 2024. That’s right, nearly 20 months have passed since Tony Docherty’s top-six-bound side claimed consecutive victories against Aberdeen and St Johnstone. Since then, the winds of change have swept through Dens Park, leaving just two familiar faces—Jon McCracken and Aaron Donnelly—who experienced those triumphs. Now, under the guidance of Steven Pressley, the Dark Blues have a golden opportunity to break that drought after edging Falkirk 1-0 just days ago.
But nothing comes easy in the Premiership, and Pressley knows it. "You can be doing a lot of good things, but there’s no bigger boost to a team’s morale than winning a game of football," Pressley told reporters in the build-up. "We’ve played better than we did on Saturday, but the feelgood factor is never achieved without a win. So it was big. But now we have to own the fact that it’s been 20 months since we’ve recorded back-to-back victories in the Premiership. That’s a stat we’re not proud of but we need to own it."
Pressley is nothing if not honest about the challenge ahead. He continued, "The other factor around that statistic is there’s only two players in our squad at present – Donnelly and McCracken – that have actually experienced winning back-to-back games for Dundee in the Premiership. That does not sit well with me and the players. But we have to own it and we have to do something about it. We’ve got a chance to do that on Tuesday night."
Of course, the task is made all the more difficult by a string of absences. Dundee are without their captain and talisman, Simon Murray, who begins a two-match ban. Murray, who enjoyed a similar winning run in his first spell at the club back in 2018, will be sorely missed. The injury list continues to bite, with Joe Westley sidelined for another three months, Finlay Robertson missing out again, and Clark Robertson having only just returned to training after a thigh injury—this game likely comes too soon for him. Cameron Congreve, a major doubt due to a quad injury, adds to Pressley’s selection headaches.
But adversity can breed opportunity. With the squad stretched thin, Pressley has called on his players to rise to the occasion. "The reality is for us is that we have to play at our maximum to win games of football in the Premiership. There’s no other way for us. If we’re short of that, we don’t win. The Kilmarnock game has a huge incentive for us for a number of reasons. It’s a very defining period for us. It’s a chance for us to get some form of momentum which is pivotal for our season. We managed to get the win on Saturday which was huge and now we have to show that we can actually follow that up with another result."
Kilmarnock, meanwhile, arrive at Dens Park desperate to halt a worrying run of form. It’s now been 12 matches since their last victory, but interim boss Kris Doolan has injected some optimism into the camp. The visitors picked up a commendable result at St Mirren and were unlucky to lose against Falkirk, with Pressley himself acknowledging their improvement: "They have changed system and are playing slightly differently. I thought they performed very well against Falkirk and were really unfortunate to lose the game. So they’ve played well in the last couple of games."
Doolan’s options are also limited by injuries, but he’ll be buoyed by the return of Robbie Deas from suspension. Kilmarnock remain without striker Marley Watkins, Jamie Brandon, Djenairo Daniels, Matty Kennedy, Kyle Magennis, and Max Stryjek, all sidelined through injury. The squad may be stretched, but the hunger for a result is palpable.
Supporters heading to Dens Park are reminded of some important matchday details. Tickets remain available online, with prices set at £26 for adults, £16 for seniors and students, £12 for under-18s, and just £5 for under-12s (with the caveat that these must be purchased alongside an adult or senior ticket). Entry is streamlined with QR codes—either on your phone or printed at home—while the stadium operates entirely cashless, so make sure you’ve got your card ready for food and drink purchases.
Turnstiles open at 6:45 pm, and the club shop and ticket office have been serving fans since 10 am. For those driving to the stadium, take note: Residents Parking Zones are in effect around Dens Park on matchdays, and only permit holders can park within the designated zone. Ignore the signage at your peril—violators risk penalty charges.
For fans unable to attend, match updates will be available on Dundee’s Twitter/X page, with goal, half-time, and full-time scores posted to Facebook and Instagram. Overseas supporters can catch the action live on DeeTV, ensuring nobody misses a moment of this pivotal clash.
The last time these sides met, the result was a goalless draw at Rugby Park—a testament to the tight margins that have defined their recent encounters. With both teams eager to break out of their respective ruts, something has to give. Will Dundee finally end their 20-month wait for consecutive Premiership wins, or can Kilmarnock snap their winless streak and close the gap in the table?
One thing’s for sure: both managers are demanding maximum effort from their squads. Pressley’s rallying cry is clear—own the narrative, seize the moment, and let the results speak for themselves. Doolan, on the other hand, will be urging his players to build on recent performances and turn promise into points.
As the floodlights flicker on and the first whistle approaches, the air at Dens Park is thick with possibility. For Dundee, it’s a shot at rewriting an unwanted chapter in their history. For Kilmarnock, it’s a chance to reignite their campaign and send a message to the rest of the Premiership. The outcome remains up in the air, but one thing’s certain: fans on both sides are in for a tense, dramatic evening of football.
With so much on the line, every tackle, pass, and shot will be scrutinized. As the action unfolds, all eyes will be on Dens Park to see which team can rise above adversity and claim a vital result in the chase for Premiership survival and momentum. Stay tuned for what promises to be a fiercely contested battle under the winter lights.