Dundee vs Kilmarnock
20 May 2015hrs
Football – Scotland – Premiership
Pick Under 2.5 goals
Bookmaker William Hill
Odds: 17/20 odds taken 2000 GMT, Wednesday 19 May
The final spot in next season’s Scottish Premiership is up for grabs as Dundee host Kilmarnock in the first leg of the promotion playoff final.
Table of Contents
Dundee Preview – Will Dundee make home advantage count and take a lead with them into the second leg?
Dundee were relegated back in 2018/19 and have not had it easy since. James McPake was in charge on a temporary basis back then before it being made a permanent appointment. Last season being curtailed meant there was no playoffs and with Hearts being big favourites for automatic promotion, a playoff spot was their main objective – and they finished best of the rest in second place.
It was important as it meant Dundee only had to negotiate the playoff semi-final which can often be telling when the Championship team come up against the Premiership side in this clash.
It was a really strong end to the regular season for the Dens Park club who were unbeaten in their last eight, winning five of them. They continued that form into the playoffs when blowing Raith Rovers away in the first leg, winning 3-0 away from home. That ultimately booked their place in the final even though they did go down 1-0 in the return game.
There is no shortage of experience in the squad led by captain Charlie Adam. Jason Cummings, Paul McGowan and Osman Sow are all experienced at Premiership level as well and will feel they have a real chance to get back to the top-flight. Dundee held their own in the Scottish Cup when facing St Johnstone last month, losing 1-0 to the eventual finalists.
Kilmarnock Preview – Can Killie continue their recent form and get a result that would see them?
There’s no doubt that Tommy Wright has made a huge impression in his short time at Rugby Park but the fact remains that Kilmarnock finished second bottom and therefore have to take their chance in the playoffs to ensure they remain a Premiership club. Killie have not been out the top-flight since the early 90s and negotiated the same two-legged playoff against Falkirk five years ago
Wright will be hoping that his players can see the club through again and give him a chance to strengthen the squad with a view to climbing back into the top six.
Don’t miss out on other Betting Tips & Predictions
Click here for more Betting Tips
Like their opponents, Killie come into the first leg in confidence mood after a recent run of good form. It’s one defeat in the last six league matches having gone 10 games without a win. It looked for all money that Kilmarnock would be relegated let alone enter the playoffs.
Key to that turnaround is veteran striker Kyle Lafferty. Signed in January Lafferty has had a huge impact with eight goals in nine league games. Including five in his last four. It makes him the club’s second top scorer already behind winger Chris Burke.
Dundee vs Kilmarnock Betting Advice
It’s likely to be a tense affair with neither team wanting to over commit before the second leg on Monday at Rugby Park. Dundee and Kilmarnock have been involved in games with goals at both ends of late but the circumstances and pressure surrounding this match is going to be different to regular season games.
The two managers will be finding game plans and approaches that will nullify the major threats of both teams, namely Adam and Lafferty.
Key Facts – Dundee vs Kilmarnock Betting Tip
- Monaco could guarantee third place and a place in the Champions League qualifiers but are still in with a chance of automatic qualification
- Rennes are one points and two places off a Europa League spot and need to get some points from this one
- The last eight meetings between the teams have seen both teams scoring
This is a bet more on speculation than the recent trends or data but the first leg of the playoff games are traditionally low-scoring. Therefore I’m happy to side with under 2.5 goals on this occasion with the tie set to be decided in Ayrshire in a few days time.
