Preview: Ross County vs. Dundee - prediction, team news, lineups

Struggling Ross County host undefeated Dundee in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, when a win for the away side could see them climb into the top three.

The hosts meanwhile have only scored once in their four league games so far, and they could end the day bottom of the table if other results also go against them.

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Match preview

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Ross County's start to the season has been miserable to say the least, with the Staggies languishing in 10th and on a run of five games without a win in all competitions, and to compound that they are without a goal in their last three.

Their last two outings have seen them lose 6-0 away to Rangers, and most recently they suffered a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of high-flying Aberdeen, with Kevin Nisbet's injury-time winner handing out yet more misery for the home supporters.

Don Cowie's side were also eliminated from the League Cup at the hands of Scottish League Two outfit Spartans, in what was undoubtedly the shock result of the second round fixtures.

Ross County have finished 11th in the last two seasons and only survived relegation on both occasions in the play-offs, but to avoid another season in the doldrums they will need to pick up their form and fast.

If the home side are looking for reasons to be optimistic on Saturday, then their 1-1 draw against Dundee United at Victoria Park is their best bet, where Ronan Hale's last-gasp equaliser rescued a valuable point for Cowie's side.

© Imago

Dundee meanwhile have made an impressive start to their campaign, as they sit in sixth-place and are yet to be beaten in all competitions in a run that stretches back to their final-day draw against Kilmarnock last season.

They have however drawn their last two games 2-2; the first being away to Hibernian and the most recent was their home game against St Mirren, where goals from Curtis Main and Ziyad Larkeche were not enough to take all three points.

If you want to see goals though, Dundee are certainly the team to watch as there have been 43 goal involvements in just nine games involving the Dark Blues this season.

An entertaining side to watch, Tony Docherty's side have the third-highest xG in the division – behind only Celtic and Rangers – but they also have the second-highest xGA, with only Kilmarnock who are bottom of the Scottish Premiership conceding more big chances.

For this weekend however, Dundee will be expecting their attacking threat to shine through, and the Dark Blues were also unbeaten in their three matches against Ross County last season; winning twice and drawing the other game, so recent history is on their side for Saturday's encounter.

Ross County Scottish Premiership form:

Ross County form (all competitions):

Dundee Scottish Premiership form:

Dundee form (all competitions):

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Team News

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Ross County have been without Max Sheaf (hamstring) since April, and while the midfielder is closing in on a return, this game could come too early for him.

Ricki Lamie (achilles) is the only other injury concern for Cowie, who otherwise has a fully-fit squad to pick from for the visit of Dundee.

The away side meanwhile will be without Charlie Reilly and Clark Robertson (both hamstring), with Joe Shaughnessy (knee) also expected to miss out here for Docherty's side.

Billy Koumetio should keep his place at the centre of defence alongside Antonio Portales, with Simon Murray and Scott Tiffoney expected to be the likely candidates to support Main in attack once again.

Ross County possible starting lineup:
Laidlaw; Brown, Wright, Lopata, Leak, Harmon; Randall, Denholm, Nisbet; Brophy, Hale

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We say: Ross County 1-2 Dundee

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