Dundee and St Johnstone are set to clash this Saturday at 3 PM at Dens Park, marking yet another pivotal moment for both teams at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table. Currently, Dundee sits 11th with 27 points, just three points above St Johnstone, who finds themselves at the bottom with 24 points. With only nine matches remaining, every point counts as they look to avoid relegation.
This fixture will be the third encounter between these two teams this season, with each team having secured one victory away from home. St Johnstone claimed the first meeting at Dens Park with a 2-1 victory, thanks to two second-half goals from Carey and Clark after Dundee had taken the lead with Simon Murray's first-half goal. Dundee responded effectively at their last meeting on January 5, securing a commanding 3-1 win at McDiarmid Park, with early strikes from Murray, Seb Palmer-Houlden, and Lyall Cameron putting them firmly in the driver's seat.
Both teams approach this game with contrasting recent form. Dundee's last three results include narrow defeats, with losses to Motherwell (2-1), Ross County (3-1), and recent struggle against Aberdeen (1-2). Meanwhile, St Johnstone has seen slight improvement, securing a victory over Ross County (1-0) but enduring setback losses against Hearts (1-2) and Kilmarnock (1-3).
Dundee's manager, Tony Docherty, emphasizes the urgency of securing points, acknowledging the significance of the match. He stated, “It’s important for us to turn around the form we have had. We’ve had some poor results lately, and we’ve been dragged down. Tomorrow would be a good start.” With injuries affecting the squad, including key players Antonio Portales, Seb Palmer-Houlden, Clark Robertson, Billy Koumetio, and Scott Fraser sidelined, Docherty must rally those available to push for performance.
On the other hand, St Johnstone’s veteran defender, Barry Douglas, highlights their positive demeanor going forward: “You can’t put full emphasis on just this game. Yes, of course, it would be nice to get the win...It’s not pressure; it’s exciting.” Douglas reflects on the team's resilience, noting their recent ability to fight back and crediting manager Simo Valakari’s approach for keeping spirits high during these challenging times.
Fans will be eager to see if Dundee can leverage their home advantage, as they have been relatively effective at Dens Park, scoring 40 goals over the season, with 26 hitting the net at home. Their performance, unfortunately, has been marred by defensive woes, having conceded the highest goals tally (60) across the league this season. Their recent home matches have averaged over 4 goals per game, indicating both their potential for scoring and susceptibility at the back.
For St Johnstone, the objective is clear: draw level with Dundee. The Saints have found the net prominently during road matches, indicating their offensive capabilities, with 31 total goals scored so far. The visitors have historically scored well against Dundee, with previous fixtures averaging 3.4 goals per game. This could make for another entertaining showdown.
Ticket sales suggest excitement is brewing, with prices for adults set at £26 and varying discounts for concessions and youths. Supporters are expected to create vibrant atmospheres, especially as the club stands for charity on match day. Part of the revenue will support SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, as the team dons their new third kit.
Dundee fans are advised to arrive early as turnstiles open at 2 PM and there are measures to address parking and hospitality configurations. The clubs intend to avoid congestion, ensuring matchday runs smoothly, with bar services transitioning to focus on hospitality for this encounter.
This Saturday's match not only offers pivotal points at stake but serves as the crux point for both teams to showcase their mettle against relegation struggles. Dundee’s captain, Joe Shaughnessy, underlines the mentality needed for players: “There are still nine games left...We’ve shown we can get results.” His call for unity and fight will be echoed both on and off the field as they aim to rise from the bottom of the table.
With matchday updates being provided via social media, including goal and score updates, the passionate fans of both clubs are certain to feel the tension and excitement leading up to the pivotal stratagems of their respective campaigns. The stakes could not be higher for Dundee and St Johnstone as they meet for this decisive derby.