Dundee vs Airdrie Predictions
Dundee should have too much quality for Airdrie, but both teams are likely to get on the scoresheet this weekend.
I have stakes on a home win and BTTS.
Dundee/BTTS Backed at Dens Park
- Dundee won their last 3 home matches (competitive fixtures)
- Dundee have seen BTTS in 5 of their last 6 matches
- Dundee won their last 2 matches against Airdrie
- Airdrie have seen BTTS in 8 of their last 9 matches
Dundee Have Recent H2H Edge
Dundee and Airdrie have met on just five occasions since 2010. Dundee won three of those games while Airdrie claimed two victories, including a 1-0 win at Dens Park last season.
Dundee Suffer Mixed Pre-Season
Dundee begin their Scottish League Cup campaign after a mixed pre-season. Steven Pressley’s side won just one of four warm-up matches.
The Dark Blues slipped to a 2-0 defeat against Livingston in their first game of the new season, before a 2-1 win against Paks last week. More recently, Pressley’s men fell to a 2-1 reversal against Israeli opponents Maccabi Haifa before a 1-1 draw at Brechin.
A strong end to last season’s Premiership campaign saw Dundee finish eighth in the division, after picking up victories in three of their last four fixtures.
Defensive deficiencies undermine the Dark Blues' season. The hosts failed to keep a clean sheet in all but two of their last 19 matches (including friendlies).
Still, a strong home record should give the Premiership side confidence this weekend. Pressley’s men lost just one of their last eight games at Dens Park.
Airdrie Rebuilding
Airdrie make the trip to Dundee having failed to win any of their three pre-season fixtures. After a 1-1 draw against Elgin in their first game of the campaign, the Diamonds fell to back-to-back 2-1 reversals against Ayr and Falkirk.
Saturday’s visitors have endured a tough summer after being relegated to League One following their Championship playoff defeat against Alloa Athletic. John Rankin has since taken charge following the departure of Aaron Taylor-Sinclair.
A poor run of form has seen the away side fail to win their last six matches since the end of last season. Airdrie won just one of 10 games played since the start of April.
Despite their recent form, the Diamonds have managed to score at least one goal in eight of their last nine fixtures. All of those eight games finished with BTTS.
Dundee vs Airdrie Team News
Dundee: (4-4-1-1) Kieran O’Hara; Drey Wright, Ryan Astley, Aaron Donnelly, Idris Odutayo; Charlie Reilly, Ryan Finnigan, Ethan Hamilton, Finlay Robertson; Ashley Hay; Simon Murray
Steven Pressley could rotate after the recent friendly defeat against Maccabi Haifa. The Dark Blues boss could hand competitive debuts to several new faces, with Idris Odutayo and Ryan Finnigan both in contention to start.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s League Cup opener, Dundee boss Steven Pressley insisted his side are in better shape than last season.
“I think we’re more ready than last season,” Pressley said. “Both mentally and in terms of the physical conditioning of the team.”
Despite admitting there is still room for improvement, the Dundee boss added that he is “comfortable” with his squad’s condition going into the new campaign.
Zan Besir is another new arrival, although he may have to settle for a place among the substitutes.
Airdrieonians: (4-2-3-1) Cade Melrose; Adam Devine, Sam Fisher, Craig Ross, Dylan MacDonald; Cole McKinnon, Dean McMaster; Dapo Mebude, Gavin Gallagher, Robert Mahon; Matty Yates
Airdrie have undergone major squad changes, with several players leaving after relegation. Fourteen players have departed, including Jamie Barjonas, Jake Hastie, Aidan Wilson, Dom Thomas and Lewis Strapp.
Head coach Rankin has also brought in several new faces, with Dapo Mebude, Matty Yates, Ewan Simpson and Sam Fisher joining the club.