Dundeevs.Rangers

The Gers have already come out on top in two meetings with the Dark Blues this season, including a 3-1 home victory in their most recent encounter in December last year.

Match preview

Dundee's four-game unbeaten run came to an end in dramatic fashion last weekend as they threw away a two-goal lead within a 14-minute period to lose 3-2 at home to Motherwell.

After Jordan McGhee headed home a first-half opener for the Dark Blues, top scorer Luke McCowan netted his ninth goal of the season to double the hosts' advantage 20 minutes from time, but Motherwell admirably turned the game on its head in the dying embers, with two quickfire strikes from Georgie Gent and Theo Blair followed by Moses Ebiye's 93rd-minute winner.

Tony Docherty admitted after the match that his Dundee side were "really hurting" after throwing away a comfortable lead, but the Dark Blues are still in the driving seat to secure their first top-six finish since 2014-15 before the league splits in two next week.

Dundee currently sit sixth in the Scottish Premiership, one point ahead of seventh-placed Hibernian, who have played a game more and lost to St Johnstone last weekend. Victory on Wednesday would guarantee a top-six finish for Docherty's side, but success will be a tall order against title hopefuls Rangers.

Indeed, Dundee have failed to win any of their last 11 meetings with Rangers across all competitions, and suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat the last time they welcomed the Gers to Dens Park in November last year.

Six goals, VAR controversy, a stoppage-time equaliser and a few post-match handbags; it is fair to say that the latest instalment of the Old Firm derby did not disappoint as bitter rivals Rangers and Celtic shared the spoils in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Ibrox on Sunday.

A dominant Celtic outfit were two goals in front at the break thanks to Daizen Maeda's 21-second opener and a Matt O'Riley Panenka penalty. The Hoops should have been out of sight, but Rangers dragged themselves back into the contest with a disputed VAR penalty converted by James Tavernier.

Abdallah Sima seemed to have earned a point for the Gers in the 86th minute, only for Adam Idah to restore Celtic's lead just 71 seconds later, but it was Rabbi Matondo who had the last laugh for the hosts as he curled a stunning 93d-minute equaliser into the top corner.

After all the chaos and late drama in Glasgow, it remains the same at the Scottish Premiership summit as Celtic hold a one-point advantage over second-placed Rangers. However, Philippe Clement - who labelled his Gers side as the "moral winners" of the Old Firm showdown - is aware that victory in their game in hand over Dundee will see them climb to the top and two points clear of the Hoops.

Rangers head into Wednesday's contest having won each of their last eight encounters with Dundee by an aggregate score of 22-2, while they have only dropped points in three of their 14 top-flight away games this season and have conceded only five goals in the process - the fewest in the division - so there is reason for Clement and co to be optimistic of success at Dens Park.

Dundee Scottish Premiership form:

L

L

D

W

W

L

Rangers Scottish Premiership form:

W

W

W

L

W

D

Rangers form (all competitions):

L

D

W

L

W

D

Team News

Dundee were without Trevor Carson, Ryan Howley, Josh Mulligan, Curtis Main, Diego Pineda and Owen Beck last weekend, but the former two are closing in on a return from injury.

McGhee was fit to start and played the full 90 minutes last time out, and he could retain his place at right wing-back as Dara Costelloe operates on the opposite flank.

Malachi Boateng could be recalled to start in centre-midfield at the expense of Mohamad Sylla, while Scott Tiffoney is set to continue in attack alongside Amadou Bakayoko, who has contributed to three goals (one goal, two assists) in his last two appearances.

As for Rangers, Ryan Jack, Oscar Cortes (both muscle) and Danilo (knee) all remain sidelined with injuries, while Ridvan Yilmaz (hamstring) will be assessed ahead of kickoff.

Sima has made two substitute appearances since recovering from a thigh problem and Clement will weigh up whether to hand the forward, who has 11 league goals to his name this term, a place in the starting lineup.

Matondo will be pushing for a start on either flank after scoring two stunners in his last two substitute outings against Celtic and Hibs, while Todd Cantwell is set to battle with Tom Lawrence for a start in an advanced midfield role in behind central striker Cyriel Dessers.

Dundee possible starting lineup:

McCracken; Portales, Shaughnessy, Donnelly; McGhee, Cameron, Boateng, McCowan, Costelloe; Tiffoney, Bakayoko

Rangers possible starting lineup:

Butland; Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Barisic; Diomande, Lundstram; Matondo, Cantwell, Silva; Dessers

We say: Dundee 1-3 Rangers

Dundee had put together a strong run of form on home soil before their collapse against Motherwell last weekend, and that loss of momentum comes as a blow heading into a challenging contest with Rangers.

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