Scottish football returns, as Dundee face Airdrieonians at Dens Park.
Dundee finished 8th in the Premiership last campaign, finishing three points behind their neighbours, while Airdrieonians finished 9th in the Championship, meaning they had to go through the play-offs to escape relegation, however, following a 3-1 aggregate defeat to Alloa Athletic, Airdrieonians were relegated to the third tier of Scottish football.
These two sides met in this stage of the League Cup last campaign at Dens Park, where Airdrie ran out 1-0 winners, courtesy of a goal from Mochrie. Since November 2022, Dundee and Airdrieonians have met five times. Overall, Dundee won three and Airdrie won two. Airdrie’s two victories both ended 1-0, while Dundee’s wins came in more convincing fashion, winning 4-0 in February 2025, 6-1 in Augusts 2024 and 6-2 in November 2022.
Both sides have been busy in the transfer window. Steven Pressley’s side have lost some key players in the early stages of this transfer window, including Luke Graham, who joined English Championship side Stoke City, Billy Koumetio to English Championship side Charlton Athletic, Jon McCracken who departed on a free, Paul Digby to Colchester United and Emile Acquah to Notts County. The Dark Blues have also lost both Tony Yogane who spent last season on loan at Dens Park and recently signed for fellow Premiership side Aberdeen, and Cameron Congreve, who spent last season on loan at Dundee as well and has now returned to Swansea.
However, Dundee have brought in reinforcements, bringing in midfielder Ryan Finnigan, who Dundee had been monitoring for twelve months and who signed for Dundee despite strong interest from other clubs in England. Dundee also signed left-back Idris Odutayo, who spent the last three seasons at Bromley, helping guide them to two promotions, including last season’s promotion to English League One. Dundee also recently announced the signing of Slovenian midfielder Zan Besir. Besir is a midfielder who gets goals – scored six goals last season and five the season before, and has a great left foot. The 25-year-old is definitely one to watch for the upcoming campaign.
Saturday’s visitors have also been busy following their relegation. The Diamonds have signed midfielder AJ Bridge, who is able to operate anywhere in the midfield, bringing versatility to Airdrieonians. 19-year-old English left-back Henry James, who spent last season on loan at Peterhead. Former Aston Villa midfielder Ewan Simpson, who spent last season at Hamilton Academical. 24-year-old central defender Sam Fisher, who joined from Scottish Championship outfit Dunfermline Athletic, following recent loan spells at Kelty Hearts and Stenhousemuir. And Matty Yates from Linfield, who scored six times in the Northern Irish Premiership last season. Yates has experience when it comes to finding the net in Scotland. The 24-year-old scored 32 times in 130 matches for Stenhousemuir and thirteen times for Stranraer between October 2020 and May 2022.