The Key Battles Dundee Will Face To See Off Killie

[News Bot]

Dundee’s game against Kilmarnock this weekend should provide several intriguing personal battles.

Having drawn their last game before the international break, Dundee manager Paul Hartley will be looking to build on their first clean sheet of the season.

Kilmarnock will have a much-changed team from when these two sides met at the tail end of last season, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Lee Clark has signed more than a dozen players for this season and the majority are still finding their feet in Scottish football.

However, having said that, they will definitely not be any pushovers.

They are conceding goals and, at this early part of the season, have the third worst defensive record in the league.

But, with Kris Boyd as their main striker, they are definitely a goal threat.

Dundee will be looking to get their second victory of the season and their first in front of the home fans in the league.

Today, we take a look at where the Dens clash may be won or lost.

WILLIAMS v SMITH

Dundee winger Danny Williams could add a bit of spark to Saturday’s game if he can get the ball into the box.

Danny Williams poses a real threat with his pace and direct style.

Although he has been a little erratic with his final ball, he has the potential to be a match-winner by providing the service for whoever is playing up front.

If he can get the better of Steve Smith, offensively and defensively, he could be the source of creativity that might win the game for Dundee.

Smith has a deft left foot and Williams will have to do a lot of defensive work to stop him from getting forward as his delivery into the box is very good.

He will also need to make sure when tracking back he doesn’t concede cheap fouls as, again, he is a threat from set-pieces with good strikes at goal.

O’HARA v DICKER

Mark O’Hara has been in great form in recent weeks and, having been transformed from a defender into a central midfielder, he has the potential to have an influence in this game for several reasons.

Having left Kilmarnock in the summer, he will feel he has something to prove to former manager Lee Clark and will be desperate to put in a good performance.

Killie will need to get to grips with O’Hara’s high energy and, with Greg Taylor suspended, Gary Dicker is likely to be given the job of matching up with O’Hara.

Dicker will have to use all his experience to prevent O’Hara from getting a foothold in the game.

Having been a threat at set-pieces, too, if Dicker is given the job of man marking him he will have to be at his very best.

GOMIS v BOYD

Kevin Gomis had an excellent debut at Motherwell, defending well against an experienced forward in Scott McDonald.

In Kris Boyd, he will come up against a different proposition altogether. A strong and aggressive striker who comes to life in the box, Gomis will have to be on his toes.

Having scored in his last two games, the former Rangers man is playing with confidence.

However, if Gomis can marshal him as well as he did McDonald, then it should provide Dundee with a solid platform to go on and win the game.

Boyd’s participation may be in doubt, however, following a family bereavement.

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