In what is sure to be a ferocious clash, the first Dundee derby of the 2025-26 season will take place on Sunday at Dens Park, with Dundee set to welcome visitors Dundee United in each side's fourth and third Scottish Premiership game of the campaign respectively.
The hosts come into the weekend's match having drawn two consecutive fixtures, including 0-0 with Kilmarnock on August 23 in the top flight, whereas the away side lost 2-1 against the same opponents on August 17 in the Scottish League Cup.
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Dundee vs Dundee United prediction: Resilient hosts vs leaky visitors
Key stats
- Dundee have failed to keep a clean sheet in eight of their past 10 competitive outings, and they have scored fewer than two goals in six of their last eight matches.
- Dundee United have conceded at least two goals in each of their past five games in all competitions, as well in six of their most recent seven in the Scottish Premiership.
- The home side failed to achieve victory in six of their seven most recent league fixtures, while the visitors have lost five of their past seven league games, winning once in that period.
Correct score prediction: Dundee 2-2 Dundee United
Both sides have been weak at the back for some time, and it would be surprising if either managed to keep each other at bay, so perhaps fans will see an entertaining stalemate at Dens Park on Sunday.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Dundee narrowly predicted to win by the bookmakers
- HOME: 8/5 (2.6) – 38.5%
- DRAW: 11/5 (3.2) – 31.3%
- AWAY: 7/4 (2.75) – 36.4%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Dundee are the expected winner of this clash, with a probability of 38.5%, but the bookmakers have given Dundee United a 36.4% chance of victory, and they would also not be surprised if the clubs were to both take a point from the weekend's meeting.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Dundee's recent success in the debry
Since the turn of the decade, the sides have face each other on seven occasions, with Dundee and Dundee United both claiming two wins in that period.
A victory for the hosts will see the club extend their winning streak in the derby to three matches having won 4-2 and 1-0 in the last season's meetings.
Scotland Premiership 16/03/25
Dundee Utd
Dundee
Scotland FA Cup 20/01/25
Dundee
Dundee Utd
Scotland Premiership 02/01/25
Dundee
Dundee Utd
Scotland Premiership 04/08/24
Dundee Utd
Dundee
Scotland Premiership 09/04/22
Dundee Utd
Dundee
Dundee preview: Winless start to the league season
With the home team having played three Scottish Premiership games in 2025-26, they have only collected just two points and are fifth last in eighth place.
Head coach Steven Pressley could field a back five on Sunday, with Clark Robertson a leading candidate to start as his side's middle centre-back.
Predicted lineup: McCracken (GK), Wright, Astley, C Robertson, Graham, Samuels, Westley, Jones, F Robertson, Murray & Dhanda
Scotland Premiership 10/05/25
L
Kilmarnock
3
Dundee
2
Scotland Premiership 03/05/25
L
Motherwell
2
Dundee
1
Scotland Premiership 26/04/25
W
Hearts
0
Dundee
1
Scotland Premiership 13/04/25
L
Hibernian
4
Dundee
0
Scotland Premiership 05/04/25
W
St Mirren
0
Dundee
2
Dundee United preview: Concerning 2025-26 campaign so far
Dundee United have also failed to triumph in the league – they are 10th with just one point after two matchweeks – and they have in fact lost three and drawn two of their five fixtures this season.
Manager Jim Goodwin will look to winger Ivan Dolcek, who has scored 75% of his team's goals this campaign so far in the Premiership.
Predicted lineup: Kucherenko (GK), Iovu, Esselink, Keresztes, Stephenson, Sevelj, Sibbald, Ferry, Sapsford, Watters & Dolcek
Scotland Premiership 10/05/25
L
St Mirren
2
Dundee Utd
0
Scotland Premiership 03/05/25
L
Hibernian
3
Dundee Utd
1
Scotland Premiership 26/04/25
L
Celtic
5
Dundee Utd
0
Scotland Premiership 12/04/25
W
St Johnstone
0
Dundee Utd
1
Scotland Premiership 06/04/25
W
Hearts
0
Dundee Utd
1
Player to watch: Ivan Dolcek
While Dundee United have started the season poorly, winger Ivan Dolcek has managed to excel in the final third.
The winger has scored three times in two Scottish Premiership matches this term, though he has not found the back of the net in his last two outings for the visitors.