Preview: Dundee vs. Motherwell - prediction, team news, lineups

After relegation in 2021-22, Dundee bounced straight back, claiming the Championship title on the final day last season.

Match preview

Dundee finished imperiously to take the second-tier title, returning instantly to the top table of Scottish football.

A 10-game unbeaten run to finish the season is what was required, and scoring 24 goals along the way meant they did it in style.

The Dee were involved in one of the games of the season anywhere across British football on the final day though, as a straight shootout between themselves and Queen's Park meant the winner would go up.

Dundee led 1-0, trailed 2-1 and then led 3-2 before being pegged back to 3-3 all inside the first half, but took control in the second half, going on to win 5-3 to clinch the title.

Despite promotion though, and being named Manager of the Season, Gary Bowyer was dismissed almost instantly, and replaced by Tony Docherty.

The new boss has seen his side show decent form already in the League Cup, but they were eliminated after losing 1-0 to Airdrie.

It has been a busy pre-season for Dundee, as they have played nine matches ahead of their league opener, winning all other eight encounters.

That includes 5-1 thrashings of Bray Wanderers and Brechin City, as well as an impressive win at Fleetwood Town.

Motherwell meanwhile, breezed through their League Cup group, winning three and beating Queen of the South on penalties to finish top.

That has meant a continuation of their strong form with which they finished last season to avoid the drop.

Motherwell have not lost away from home since early February, and the appointment of Stuart Kettlewell has played a big part in that.

Under Stevie Hammell, Motherwell looked doomed, propping up the table early in 2023, but Kettlewell's impact was huge.

The side lost just two of their final 14 games of the season, and took 13 points from a possible 15 in the Relegation Group to make absolutely sure.

The Motherwell faithful will hope for another strong showing this campaign, as survival would mean 40 consecutive seasons in the top flight next year.

Losing last season's top scorer Kevin van Veen may prove to be a big problem though, after the Dutchman netted 29 goals last season.

Dundee form (all competitions):

Motherwell form (all competitions):

Team News

Lyall Cameron will be the one to watch after the 20-year-old won all three personal accolades for Dundee last season.

Cameron is just one of the few survivors in a summer of upheaval at Dens Park though.

Ten players have come in, but that barely compensates for the fact that 11 have departed, most on free transfers.

There will be one glaring omission from the Motherwell side this season with no Van Veen up front after he left to join Groningen.

Morecambe duo Jonathan Obika and Pape Souare have both arrived on free transfers, with the former hoping to fill at least part of the void left by Van Veen.

Calum Butcher remains out with a foot injury sustained last season which has kept him out for almost three months.

Dundee possible starting lineup:

McCracken; Portales, Shaughnessy, Ashcroft; Mulligan, Boateng, McGhee, Tiffoney, Beck; Robinson, Pineda

Motherwell possible starting lineup:

Oxborough; Mugabi, Casey, Blaney; McGinn, Miller, Paton, Souare; Slattery, Wilkinson, Spittal

We say: Dundee 1-1 Motherwell

Both clubs are essentially an unknown quantity given disruption in pre-season.

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