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Match Preview - Morton vs Dundee (20th August)


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Morton v Dundee - Match Preview

by Russell Gordon

Morton’s second home game of the season, after completing the set of a draw, a win and a defeat in the campaign’s first three, sees the visit of the division’s early pace setters, freshly relegated Dundee.

Streaming of the game is now only available out with the UK and Ireland, in light of the lifting of COVID restrictions on attending matches this term. The link is available here.

Dundee Greenock Morton (99 of 267).jpg

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Squad News

With Reece Lyon missing last weekend’s visit to Kirkcaldy, most would expect new signing Robbie Crawford to replace Lewis McGrattan in the role vacated by Lyon a week ago, whilst Alan Lithgow added some much-needed solidity to the back line when he came on at 0-2 down during a difficult second half. Fringe striker Alexander Easdale has left the club to explore opportunities out with football, so barring any signings before the weekend the bench is likely to be light on bodies.

Current Connections 

There are no current Morton players who have represented the Dens Park side, but two in the visitors’ squad whose careers peaked before arriving on Tayside. Paul McGowan spent a fruitful season-long loan at Cappielow from Celtic way back in 2006-07, playing an instrumental role in Morton finally claiming promotion to the First Division after so many near misses. Paul McMullan had a brief spell at Cappielow in 2016 under Jim Duffy, who served both clubs with distinction as both a player and manager.

One of the black marks against Duffy’s tenure though was the failure to spot the talent in local lad Luke McCowan when on trial at Morton, before he went onto sign for Ayr. McCowan opened the scoring in Dundee’s thrilling 4-2 derby win over Arbroath last weekend.

Both of Dundee’s managers last season; James McPake and the hapless Mark McGhee, represented Morton early in their playing careers, McGhee with much more success.

Dundee Greenock Morton (39 of 267).jpg

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Tale of the Tape 

With no meetings last season due to Dundee’s wee holiday in the Premiership, the clubs haven’t met since the tail end of 2020-21 season, when, in spite of enjoying contrasting seasons, with both clubs winning their end-of-season play-offs, but at opposite ends of the table, Dundee only narrowly got the better of Morton over the three fixtures of that abbreviated season, with a 0-1 defeat for Morton at Dens on the second day of the campaign being followed up by a 2-2 draw at Cappielow and a 1-1 tie back in Tayside in which a late Lee Ashcroft equaliser dealt Morton’s survival hopes a hammer blow.

Morton’s most recent win was in September 2019, when David Hopkin’s eye-bleeding side scraped to a 1-0 win at Cappielow courtesy of Peter Grant’s header on the cusp of the interval.

Opposition Analysis 

Last season’s disastrous campaign for Dundee saw some high-profile departures from Dens Park over the summer- notably the aforementioned gaffer McGhee, and his captain, Charlie Adam. Coming into the hot seat is veteran of many a lower league English club, Gary Bowyer. Bowyer has gone into that particular market to procure the services of defender Tyler French from National League Wrexham on a permanent deal as well as loanees Zach Robinson from AFC Wimbledon and Joe Grayson from Barrow. Rangers youngster Ben Williamson has also arrived at Dens on loan, after a similar deal at Arbroath last term.

Having advanced from their Premier Sports Cup group with the minimum of fuss, it was perhaps surprising to see Dundee fall to an opening day defeat at home to Partick, but wins over Raith and Arbroath have seen Dundee climb to the top of the table since as they look to live up to their tag as title favourites.

GBR_1165.jpg

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Betting Guide 

All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7am on 18th August 2022 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling. 

The visitors are clear favourites at 5/6, with a home win unlikely to be backed too heavily at 31/10. The draw is priced at 23/10.

Given how prolific he’s been from the penalty spot this term, Grant Gillespie to score anytime might be a bet worth looking at at 11/2, and the draw at half time and Morton at full time, for those of you feeling optimistic, is 15/2.

Match Officials 

Referee- Don Robertson

AR 1-  Chris Rae

AR 2- Calum Doyle

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