Preview: Dundee v Motherwell

Introduction

Dundee host Motherwell at Dens Park on Saturday afternoon as they return to Scottish Premiership action.

This is Dundee’s first game since their 2-1 loss against Hearts at Tynecastle on September 6th.

Motherwell come into this off the back of a 4-0 defeat at home to Aberdeen in midweek.

Andy’s Bet Club will be on hand to preview all our key games for the 2026/27 season.

Andy’s Bet Club also publishes free football tips each week, all backed with expert insight and research.

Match Preview

6th host 5th in the Scottish Premiership at Dens Park on Saturday.

Dundee’s last outing brought a 2-1 defeat away to Hearts, a result where they led for the majority of the game before chaos ensued in the final ten minutes.

Bradley Fink opened the scoring in the 17th minute, before Claudio Braga equalised for the hosts in the 84th minute.

Zan Besir was sent off for Dundee in the 89th minute, before Sabah Kerjota won it for Hearts in the 96th minute.

This result means Dundee are winless in their last three.

Motherwell were thumped 4-0 at home by Aberdeen midweek, a result which means they only have one win in their last four.

Goals from Gavin Molloy, Connor Ronan, Ayoub Mouloua, and Kevin Nisbet sealed proceedings for Aberdeen.

Dundee Form Guide

Bradley Fink converted in the 17th minute of Dundee’s most recent game, a defeat away to Hearts, for an xG of just 0.15, and also had a header from a corner in first-half stoppage time, worth a further 0.24 xG.

Hearts had the more attacking intent that day, with 2.80 xG to Dundee’s 0.58 whilst having 26 shots with seven on target to Dundee’s four with one on target.

Dundee’s PPDA of 15.3 meant they allowed Hearts fifteen passes for every defensive action, a sign of a team sitting off rather than pressing high, and that approach held until deep into the second half.

Cladio Braga’s penalty levelled things up before Zan Besir’s dismissal, and Sabah Kerjota won it for Hearts deep into injury time.

Dundee are without a win in their last three, with losses to Hearts and Hibs and a 1-1 draw with St Johnstone.

Motherwell Form Guide

Motherwell were limp in attack during their 4-0 defeat at home to Aberdeen midweek.

They only racked up 0.50 xG whilst having 12 shots with five on target.

Aberdeen, on the other hand, overperformed their xG, scoring four goals from just 1.30 xG.

Alex Lowry was the most persistent threat for Motherwell, taking six shots without scoring.

Emmanuel Longelo also carried a threat down the left, his own shots totalling 0.18 xG,

Motherwell have now lost their last two without scoring: the loss to Aberdeen and a 1-0 loss to Rangers at Ibrox.

Tactical Insight

One area worth watching is the battle in the air, particularly from crosses and set pieces.

Motherwell’s centre-backs were dominant in their last outing, Jake Girdwood-Reich winning all five of his aerial duels and Martin Moormann winning six of his seven.

Both full-backs supplied plenty of crosses too, Tom Sparrow and Emmanuel Longelo each attempting six from wide positions, though only one from each found a teammate.

Dundee’s front players had a tougher time of it in the air against Hearts, winning only two of nine aerial contests.

If Dundee look to make inroads through crosses and long balls, that aerial return will need to improve considerably against a Motherwell back line that rarely lost a header last time out.

Conclusion

Both sides arrive off the back of defeats, with Motherwell’s being heavier at home to Aberdeen.

Dundee can go above Motherwell with a win here, and solidify their position in the top six.

Head over to Andy’s Bet Club for more betting tips like this across all upcoming football fixtures.