Image source, SNSStephen Welsh goes into the Motherwell squad for the trip to Dens Park following his loan move from Celtic.
Tom Sparrow remains out alongside long-term absentees Sam Nicholson, Filip Stuparevic (both knee) and Zach Robinson (Achilles).
Dundee are still without Paul Digby due to a calf injury while Cesar Garza is unavailable but Charlie Reilly is back in contention after a broken collarbone.
Image source, SNSCentre-back Clark Robertson believes Dundee must "exploit Motherwell's weaknesses" if the Dens Park side are to notch their first Scottish Premiership win of the season.
Dundee currently sit second bottom in the top flight with two points from four games, but a win over unbeaten Motherwell would push them above Jens Berthel Askou's men.
And 32-year-old Robertson, who donned the captain's armband for the first two matches, including during Dundee's 1-1 draw with Rangers, has confidence a win is just around the corner.
"We want to go into the match with a clear head and focus," Robertson said.
"If we do what we're capable of, we'll come away with our first win and three points.
"It's going to be a very difficult game. They like to play out from the back and play through the lines, so we're going to have to be compact to stop that and hurt them on the transitions.
"We know that they've got weaknesses and it's important for us to exploit those weaknesses.
"We've had two weeks on the training ground and we'll try to implement those things we've been working on to be more aggressive, especially at home."
Image source, SNSDundee have lost both of their league meetings with Motherwell in 2025 (both 2-1), more than their previous seven beforehand (W3 D3 L1).
After their 2-1 victory in May, Motherwell could pick up back-to-back away league wins over Dundee for the first time since January 2019 (four in a row).
Dundee have won just one of their past 13 home league matches (D4 L8), failing to win any of their latest four at Dens Park (D1 L3) since a 2-0 victory against St Mirren in April.
Motherwell are unbeaten in three on the road in the league (D3), and could go 4+ on the road without defeat for the first time since February 2024 – a run of four draws.
Motherwell, along with Rangers, have drawn each of their past five games in the Scottish Premiership. They are the first sides to draw 5+ successive top-flight matches since Hibernian in October 2019 (also five), with no side drawing six in a row at this level in the 21st century.
Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSDundee were beaten 2-0 by United in the derby
Dundee boss Steven Pressley says Saturday's game against Motherwell presents a chance to "change the narrative" around the Dens Park club.
After failing to progress from the League Cup group stage, Dundee are second bottom in the Premiership with two points from four games under their new head coach.
Pressley's side suffered a meek derby loss to Dundee United last time out, but beating Motherwell would catapult them above the Fir Park side, who currently sit fifth.
"Motherwell are now in the quarter-finals of the League Cup and are unbeaten in the league campaign thus far but what we need to remember is that if we beat them at the weekend, we go above them," Pressley said.
"So there's a lot of positives to look forward to.
"We have an opportunity to change the narrative and we have to be ready for that. We've worked very hard for it."
While still waiting for his first league win, Pressley has been impressed with the progress he's seen since the start of the campaign.
"If you look back at the Hibs game we were struggling to put a team out there," he added.
"Slowly but surely we've managed to get players in the building and look a little bit stronger.
"There's a real positivity around the place, we're all working incredibly hard. We are all pulling in the one direction but of course wins and results help that process.
"A win at the weekend would certainly go a long way in installing further confidence into the group."
Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSDundee boss Steven Pressley has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to face Motherwell on Saturday.
Here are the main points:
The Dundee boss feels there's an "opportunity to change the narrative" with a victory on Saturday that would move his side above Motherwell in the table.
Pressley stresses the difficulty of bedding in new players during the season when there is so much at stake in every game but insists his side are "working very hard".
With two goals in four games, Pressley knows his side have been struggling in attack but says they've been focusing a lot on that area over the international break and feels they are improving.
He says "there's a real positivity" at Dens Park and everyone is "pulling in one direction" but wins are key to keeping that good feeling at the club.
The boss is "really proud" of Luke Graham, who is a "good example" of how to manage and develop a young player after the defender was called up to Scotland's Under-21 squad.
Pressley admits Dundee are "still looking" at bringing in new players but there has been "no progression".
Team news: Midfielder Paul Digby remains out while Cesar Garza won't return from Mexico Under-20s duty in time. Charlie Reilly is back in full training.
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSThe success, or otherwise, of Dundee's campaign could largely be determined by how star striker Simon Murray performs.
He again more than proved his worth last season, netting 22 times in a Dark Blues side that was struggling. Getting him fit and firing could be the key to how this one plays out.
Murray has scored twice in six outings this term, a double against Montrose in the group stages of the League Cup.
An injury that forced him to miss the opening two Premiership fixtures, followed by the international break, hasn't helped in a stop-start campaign so far for the 33-year-old, who was touted for a Scotland call-up last term.
Dundee aren't a one-man team, but if Murray can rediscover the form he has showed in recent seasons it would give the team – and fans – a huge boost. If not then it could be another long campaign for the Dens Park club.
Steven Pressley is looking at midfielders available as free agents as Cesar Garza could be involved with Mexico at the Under-20 World Cup until mid-October, but Dundee's head coach admits "there's not a lot out there at the moment". (The Courier), external
Scott Fraser, who left Dundee this summer, is now on trial with Ross County after the 30-year-old midfielder's training spell with Championship rivals St Johnstone came to an end. (The Courier), external
Dundee's 21-year-old centre-half, Luke Graham, has expressed relief that he turned down a lucrative move to a Premier League club when he was a teenager and instead gained first-team experience on loan to Lochee United, Albion Rovers, Montrose and Falkirk. (The Herald), external
Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Ethan Hampton
Fan writer
When defeat comes, players can wash it off and go again.
For fans, it's different. We can't just move on until something new lifts us. The international break has dragged, with the derby defeat still stinging.
We've had to endure the gloating from giddy tangerine friends, family and co-workers - no reset button, no fresh result to soften the blow.
That's why, when Dundee next step on to the park, the players owe the supporters a response. I look at the upcoming fixtures and know we need to see more, especially in chance creation.
Back-to-back games at Dens Park provide a platform to find some rhythm, to see if Yan Dhanda and Cameron Congreve can start knitting things together and spark some attacking intent.
Our next guests are Motherwell, who do not have a league win yet but look lively under new boss Jens Berthel Askou. They've recruited strongly and already play with an attractive style. For me, they're dark horses this season.
Steven Pressley has said it will take time for Dundee to play to his standards. Patience is always easier to earn when performances show promise. A sharper attacking edge - alongside the defensive resilience we've already seen - will go a long way.
Timing is everything in football. Beating Motherwell wouldn't just steady the ship, it would be a statement. Proof that the derby defeat was a bump in the road, not a defining moment.
We asked for your views on Dundee's business in the summer transfer window.
Here are some of your comments:
Martin: It really is not good enough. I don't blame Steven Pressley but John Nelms. It's ridiculous that we have a bigger budget than some clubs in the league who get better players yet we persist with this project player route that clearly is not working. Where are the players with experience of this league to guide these young players?
George: This was a disaster, where are the players that were promised? Ryan Jack transfer falls through, you have a plan for another player in place, waiting just in case it happens. It sounds like there is no planning in place for failures. Fail to plan is the road to disaster.
Ian: The fact we had no plan B to Jack and Colby Donovan is a joke. We have a striker who has no supply from the wings. This transfer window has been disappointing.
Gary: A partial success maybe. The signings Pressley has made since coming in appear decent but it's the way they're playing that's the issue. They don't go forward with any purpose and a lot of the passing is backwards. If they need time together, great, but there's got to be an end product. Midfield creativity is sorely lacking, even with Yan Dhanda in as he was a passenger for the derby.
Gordon: We needed some quality brought in, both in midfield and full-back positions. To say I'm disappointed would be an understatement, especially after a spineless derby defeat. Next three games will show where we're at.
Mark: The issue isn't the players that have been brought in. The issue is Pressley and his negative tactics. Two goals scored in four league games. One was an error from a Hibs player and the second a set-piece. Hardly any shots on target in those four games. At least last season we conceded far too many, but scored a huge amount, at least the fans were getting their money's worth.
Ethan Hampton
Fan writer
I'm eating my words from last week after one of the worst derby showings I've seen from a Dundee side.
All the things that were praiseworthy in recent weeks - defensive shape, cohesion, set-piece threat - completely vanished on Sunday.
There's a way to lose a derby, and this wasn't it.
Dundee didn't lay a finger on United. These are the matches where you have to fight for every first and second ball, set the tone early, and play with urgency.
Instead, we watched a side that slumped to defeat with a whimper - allergic to pressing and unwilling to take risks.
For the neutral, this was no classic either. Normally derbies are frantic, end-to-end affairs. But aside from the two goals, there was almost no real chance creation.
Neither team looked impressive, but United at least did the basics right, and that was enough to carry them through.
Now we're left to stew during the international break. Hopefully the players feel the sting as much as the fans, because it has to spark a reaction - both against Motherwell next time out and when the derby comes around again.
Derbies are about pride. On Sunday, Dundee forgot what that meant. That can't happen again.
There was no transfer activity at Dundee on deadline day as a move for Scotland midfielder Ryan Jack fell through.
That leaves Steven Pressley's signings tally at 11, while Lyall Cameron and Josh Mulligan were the most notable departures in an exit list that also reached double figures.
So with the window now closed, are you pleased with the club's transfer business? Does it leave the squad in good shape for the season ahead - or is Pressley light in certain positions?
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSCould Ryan Jack be heading back to Scotland?
Dundee are keen to bring the former Aberdeen and Rangers midfielder to Dens Park.
Jack is currently at Turkish second-tier side Esenler Erokspor, who say the Scotland international will stay with them.
However, a deal is not necessarily dead. This is one that could run beyond tonight's transfer deadline.
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSDon't be surprised if we see a bit of deadline day activity at Dens Park.
A midfielder appears to be high on the Dundee wanted list.
Former Aberdeen and Rangers player Ryan Jack, who is currently at Turkish second-tier side Esenler Erokspor, would fit the bill.
While there have been conversations over a possible move for the 33-year-old, the Dark Blues will also have other potential options in that area.
Fans will certainly want to see some activity after witnessing the ease at which Dundee were swatted aside by city neighbours United in Sunday's derby.
We asked for your thoughts after Dundee were beaten 2-0 by neighbours United in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.
Here's what some of you had to say:
Martin: Not good enough. A team filled with project players and League Two players is a recipe for relegation. A manager who has one tactic and doesn't know how to change a game. United weren't that great but they didn't need to be - one shot the entire game sums up how poor we were.
Johnny: Really poor. Zero aggression. Why we refused to have players in the box to attack crosses is beyond me? Set up so negatively. Just dire. A good coach? Maybe. Eye for a player? Perhaps. Knows how to set up a team? Absolutely not. Steven Pressley is so out his depth in this role.
Kenny: Weakest home derby performance I can recall. Slow, turgid and deserved to lose. No points and a total of two attempts on target in our two homes games sums up how far we have regressed. Another masterstroke.
Ian: We need to give Pressley more time. He inherited a poor situation. His new signings also require some leeway to align with one another. The trajectory is still tracking upwards. Have faith.
Gordon: I believe we are being over coached which has taken the creativity out of the team. To break teams down you need skill and speed and the rigid system we are playing negates that. This set up may get you draws like against Rangers and Killie but will never most out of your creative players which will bring goals and wins.
Watch highlights from Dundee United's derby victory over Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.
UK users only.
Dundee continue talks with Ryan Jack but have still to seal a deal for the 33-year-old midfielder who remains contracted to Turkish second-tier club Esenier Erokspor. (Daily Record), external
A dominant Dundee United secured their first Scottish Premiership win of the season as they edged a blunt and disjointed Dundee side, who remain winless in the top flight after the Tayside derby.
Image source, SNSDundee head coach Steven Pressley: "From an offensive perspective, we certainly have to do better. We lacked, in the first half, a little bit of thrust.
"We got a little bit more thrust in the second half, but our final pass, our final decision wasn't right.
"And over the course of the 90 minutes, we didn't deserve anything from the game. I'm aware of that.
"We're at the early stages just now, we've improved a lot in our defensive actions, but now we have to improve in our offensive actions and we'll continue to work on that.
"We'll continue to strive to be better in that area, but we know that, we know, and it's finding the balance.
"You can improve in offensive aspects and then not in the defensive.
"We've improved defensively, now we need to improve offensively and that will only come with time, perseverance and a lot of work on the training ground."
On a potential move for Ryan Jack he adds: "There's nothing really to report on that just now, it's a name that's been brought to our attention, but at this moment, nothing to say on that."
The Scottish transfer window closes at 23:00 BST on Monday 1 September so there's still time for business to be done.
What do Dundee need to do before the window slams shut?
Image source, SNSSimon Murray cannot wait for the "chaos" of Dundee derby, admitting he will reflect on the fixture with pride when he hangs up his boots.
Murray has played for both sides of the divide but grew up a Dundee fan, and has scored three goals in the fixture last season.
"I'll look back on my career one day, probably, and think, playing in the Dundee derby for both teams – and I have done it – it's a great achievement," Murray said.
"To be captain of the club and to be leading the boys out on Sunday is something that I'm really proud of
"I love these games, both sets of fans are bringing everything to the game and it's 90 minutes normally of a sort of chaos, but I like that, I love it."
The striker was part of that chaos when the sides met at Tannadice last season, with Dundee securing a 4-2 win and Murray running the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the Untied fans when he scored a penalty.
"When you're going into the game, the atmosphere is building, from the morning to the kick-off, and obviously the warm up and everything else.
"When you're in that dressing room, you just need to focus on what we work on, on the training pitch when it's calm and find that on the match day.
"Obviously there's going to be moments in the game where it's a bit frantic in the atmosphere, but when you sort of get over that and bring a real calmness then, hopefully that's what we can do and do what we've been working on."
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSSimon Murray scored a late penalty as Dundee beat United at Tannadice 4-2 in March
For some, the real derby of the weekend is at Dens Park. It needs no introduction.
If Sunday's edition is anything like the last Dundee derby - when the Dark Blues won at Tannadice in March for the first time since 2004 - we are in for a treat.
Then guided by Tony Docherty, Dundee stunned their neighbours with an astounding first-half performance that had them three goals to the good.
How new head coach Steven Pressley would love for that to be replicated at Dens this weekend.
Despite an atrocious start, former United defender Pressley appears to have steadied the ship with back-to-back draws at Ibrox and Rugby Park.
A first home win for Pressley, particularly one against their neighbours, would provide "an enormous lift" and be something of a statement, given many predicted he would be given his jotters by now.
But, perhaps more importantly of all, it would provide bragging rights down Tannadice Street, with the Dark Blues eyeing three successive wins against Jim Goodwin's new-look side.
Some might say this is the real baptism of fire for many of Goodwin's summer recruits.
How many have walked up the road for a game before?
Tangerine fans will be hoping striker Zac Sapsford is one of those making the jaunt up the hill.
The Australian sustained an ankle injury as United exited the Conference League against Rapid Vienna and, despite being set for up to four weeks out, Goodwin said the club are "giving him every chance" to make the derby.
Given the raft of changes in both ranks, the early-season encounter and the search for both sides' first win of the league season, a belter is surely on its way.
