Image source, SNSDjenairo Dabiels (shoulder) and an unnamed player are doubts for Kilmarnock, but they have Tom Lowery back and Kyle Magennis getting close to action. Scott Tiffoney (calf) remains out.
Dundee have lost Paul Digby for five or six weeks to a calf injury but Simon Murray and Cesar Garza return and Charlie Reilly is back training after a broken collarbone. Plamen Galabov is hoping to shake off an illness.
Image source, SNSStuart Kettlewell has urged his Kilmarnock players to be resilient as he looks to extend their unbeaten run against Dundee on Saturday.
The Rugby Park side are unbeaten in seven matches since the former Motherwell manager took charge in the summer and have a Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against St Mirren to look forward to next month following last weekend's win against Dundee United.
"We spoke after Sunday and talked about still being unbeaten, but the simple mindset is we want that to remain in place after the game on Saturday," said Kettlewell.
"It doesn't mean to say that that's a given, but for us as a group, it's absolutely something that you mention and you want to challenge yourself to see how far you can stretch it out.
"There's going to be bumps in the road, there's going to be tough times – there always is in this league. But I think we can see throughout this week about positivity within football clubs, and one result or one performance and how that can instantly change the mindset of people outwith the club.
"The important message is that we keep consistent within the building. We have to make sure we understand what we're trying to do, how we're trying to perform, the results we're trying to get. As long as you can keep that unbeaten run going, then there is a real positivity."
Kettlewell's side have shown the ability to stay on track despite challenges, having come from two goals down to claim a point against Hibernian at Easter Road.
"Everybody needs to be careful as well that we just don't get carried away and there's no knee-jerk reactions if you don't get that quite right in the first 45 minutes of football," he added.
"We showed that against Hibs a couple of weeks ago. We didn't quite get it right in the first half, but what pleased me most was the reaction to that, and that doesn't need to come week to week. Sometimes that comes in 10-minute spells, sometimes that comes from half to half.
"Keep your powder dry, continue to keep working hard and continue to try and improve, use the confidence to your advantage if you can, but equal to that, if you take a shot in the stomach, if you take a blow, make sure you're able to pick yourself back up, make sure you're able to react in the correct fashion."
Image source, SNSKilmarnock have only lost one of their past 14 Scottish Premiership games against Dundee (W5 D8), going down 3-2 in November 2024.
Dundee have failed to win six Premiership visits to Kilmarnock (D3 L3) since winning 1-0 in May 2017 under Neil McCann.
Both of Kilmarnock's two league games this season have ended as 2-2 draws, despite one side being 2-0 ahead – Killie led Livingston and trailed Hibs before both matches finished level.
Sixty-five per cent of Dundee's Premiership points in 2025 have come away from home (13/20), a league-high share.
Dundee have had the fewest shots (nine), recorded the lowest expected goals (0.5), faced the most shots (35) and averaged the lowest possession (28.9%) of any side in the Scottish Premiership in 2025-26 so far.
Image source, SNSKilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell says he can "potentially foresee one or two" new signings before the deadline as he grapples with players vying for game-time.
The Ayrshire side are through to the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup and remain unbeaten this season across all competitions, with additions and outgoings seemingly likely before the transfer window closes at 19:00 BST on Monday 1 September.
Kettlwell, who has brought in 12 players amid a squad revemp since taking charge this summer, said: "We're still active, is the best way I can put it.
"We would potentially foresee one or two in, and there's the prospect of one or two going out as well. All of this is to try and get a balance within the squad.
"There will be players sitting there that want to play, there will be guys that are desperate to make sure that they're selected as the first name on the teamsheet every single week.
"So, as always as managers, you have to try and balance that off and make sure that you've got a bit of harmony in your group, and people understand what their place is and where you see them, and I think I've been very, very clear with the squad in general."
Striker Marley Watkins and goalkeeper Robby McCrorie, who were regulars under former boss Derek McInnes, are two of the most notable players now on the periphery. McCrorie has not even been the second-choice keeper under Kettlewell so far.
Kettlewell said: "I always try and make sure that everybody understands what their role is and how I see them at the football club, what the opportunities will be.
"Because if I try and kid people on and try and spin a story and give them a wee bit of false hope or tell them that they're absolutely going to be the first name on the teamsheet, and that's not quite the case, I think you're going to encounter problems.
"It's safe to say that I understand what I would like to do in the next few days or the next week or so and that's always been in line with the messaging with the players.
"If you put that clarity on things, then you tend to have that wee bit more harmony in your dressing room and you have that wee bit more togetherness. Everybody knows where they stand."
Sandy Armour
Fan writer
For the first time in many years I produced a hard copy fanzine so it was a pleasure to sell it before the game against Dundee United.
I spoke to ex-goalkeeper Jim Stewart, ex-striker Lawrie McKinna and loads of fans, it was just like the old days. It was all to raise funds for the foodbank so thanks to all you wonderful Killie fans we can donate £400.
The game itself was a hard fought affair with the searing heat making it extremely difficult for both sets of players.
Credit to Stuart Kettlewell for continuing with youngsters Aaron Brown and Ben Brannan and it would be fair to say Killie just about deserved their victory.
A quarter-final tie at home to St Mirren awaits so it's not out the question that we could be heading to Hampden, however we'll leave that for another day.
It would be nice to beat the other half of the city when Dundee visit the Theatre of Pies this weekend. I fancy we will get our first league win though I'll be making sure I don't have to endure Steven Pressley's post match interview.
Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine
Image source, SNSBrad Lyons scored the winning goal for Kilmarnock against Dundee United
Kilmarnock captain Brad Lyons says it was an "extra special feeling" to score the winning goal in Sunday's League Cup victory over Dundee United.
The midfielder returned to the starting line-up for the cup clash at Rugby Park and volleyed through the legs of United goalkeeper Yevhen Kucherenko for his goal which saw Killie come away with the victory.
"Scoring is always nice but it's that extra special feeling when you win the game with your goal," the 28-year-old said.
"I spoke to the gaffer and we said I need to help the team out more by chipping in with more goals so delighted to get on the end of this one."
Stuart Kettlewell's side will face St Mirren at Rugby Park in the quarter-final next month and Lyons insists his teammates are looking forward to the clash.
"It'll be a great battle," he added
"Every game with us and St Mirren is so I think it'll be a great atmosphere and a great game but we've got to concentrate on our league form first and foremost, then we can concentrate on the cup.
"We are getting good results and playing decent but we can play a lot better and hopefully we'll see that in the future games."
We asked for your views on Kilmarnock's 2-1 win against Dundee United in the Scottish League Cup.
Here's what some of you said:
Robert: Good to see Killie play some really nice football, unfortunately some slack passing cost us a Dundee United goal. However the boys didn't buckle and got the win. As the season progresses I'm sure our touches and control will improve.
Amy: A great result and a deserved one at that. Thought Brad Lyons, Marcus Dackers and Ethan Schilte-Brown were excellent and for the latter to go from Dumbarton to strolling it against Hibs and Dundee United says a lot. Derek McInnes' "Gorgie Revolution" stumbles and despite the mess he left we are still in the cup. Beautiful.
Neil: Ground out an ultimately deserved win under the merciless Ayrshire sun. Lots of decent performances and eventually comfortable enough. We are still short of a couple of players but roll on St Mirren in the quarter-finals.
David: We just edged it I think and the way Stuart Kettlewell changed it to force United into long balls into the box was clever. We stood firm and headed everything clear.
William: Win, lose, or draw this season scoring goals in every game should be Killie's focus. That should provide the mindset for greater achievements. So far very positive.
Tom: A deserved victory for Killie, over the piece we were the better team. Great first goal by Dackers and great assist from young Ben Brannan who is proving to be a find from the Academy. Bring on the Buddies.
Image source, SNSKilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell: "When I came in on day one, if you'd offered us this start [to the season], we would have bitten your hand off.
"Coming here today, I know the challenges Dundee United have faced but they're a good side.
"We had a bit of control in the game, created one or two chances but then I felt we sunk. We gave them some sort of incentive and we were disappointed to be pegged back. I thought the players responded well and overall I felt we deserved to win based on chances created but that doesn't mean it was an easy game.
"In phases of the game, in and out of possession, we're going to have to be better. But given time, and over the course of the season, we'll continue to get better. We need to improve all the time and make sure we're not standing still.
"[Against St Mirren] Two teams that will be relatively well matched. We have that wee added bonus of the home tie but we've got a lot of football to take care of between now and then."
Image source, SNSStuart Kettlewell has urged Kilmarnock to overcome "a big hurdle" in Dundee United and forge a way to Hampden.
Killie host United in Sunday's Premier Sports Cup second-round tie, with the Tangerines coming off a Conference League defeat on penalties by Rapid Vienna.
"Getting to Hampden means a lot for any football team," said manager Kettlewell, who has overseen Scottish Premiership draws with Livingston and Hibernian so far this season.
"But I just think, especially for the community clubs, people get behind their team, they rally. And ultimately that's our goal.
"We've got a big hurdle to cross on Sunday. A really difficult challenge. But I would be lying if I said that we weren't looking for at least one cup run, maybe two cup runs.
"It breeds confidence. It does breed that feelgood factor. I talk about it so often - how many chances do you get to win silverware as a professional player? There's not that many over a career.
"And it's realising that when those opportunities come about, that you need to give it absolutely everything. That'll be the message for us on Sunday again."
Image source, SNSKilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell wants to help more young players progress in their careers after seeing his former Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller earn a big-money move to Udinese.
Miller, 18, was handed his debut by Steven Hammell six days after his 16th birthday before establishing himself as a regular starter and stand-in Motherwell captain under Kettlewell.
Hoping Miller serves as a positive example to players at his new club, Kettlewell has already handed opportunities to 18-year-old Ben Brannan, who has scored four goals in five games, and 20-year-old Ethan Brown this season.
"I grew up in a Queen's Park side under guys like Billy Start and Kenny Brannigan, where they gave young players a chance," he said.
"I was ingrained with empowering young players and it's always been something at the forefront of my mind.
"I'm delighted for Lennon. He's an exceptional talent. But for me, not just at Kilmarnock but in Scotland, I think that becomes that sort of blueprint for how you should act.
"My concentration now comes to young, talented players that we've got at Kilmarnock. There's a couple of them that have done really, really well here given the opportunity in recent weeks.
"I know Ben catches the headlines because of an amazing goal against Hibs. When we see young players doing that type of thing, that's probably the element of football that makes me my happiest.
"Let's not forget about Ethan Brown being slung in at the deep end, playing at Easter Road, being 2-0 down, and I thought he performed admirably.
"Fortunately these guys have shown that emotional intelligence to be able to work through it and perform well.
"And I hope that they continue to do so. I hope that they continue to grow as players because it becomes exciting for us here at Kilmarnock."
Killie's squad for the Premier Sports Cup second-round tie at home Dundee United on Sunday will include new loan signing from Crewe, centre-back Zac Williams.
George Stanger returns from suspension and Kettlewell will assess midfielder Brad Lyons following parental leave and Kyle Magennis and Tom Lowery after injury. But Scott Tiffoney could be facing two months out with a calf injury.
Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSWe may only be two games into the Scottish Premiership season, but Kilmarnock are giving youth a chance.
Ben Brannan's sublime looping volley against Hibs catapulted the 18-year-old to prominence after Sportscene aired that evening, but for Killie fans, it's a realisation of some pretty lofty expectations.
The Rugby Park side won the Scottish Youth Cup in April for the first time since 2004 and the talented crop of kids are already having an impact.
Stuart Kettlewell is a manager committed to integrating youth into his starting line-ups and giving them a chance to cement themselves as regulars.
"It's important all of our young players know there is a clear pathway to the first team," the new manager said in the summer. He's giving them that chance.
Rory McKenzie and Greg Kiltie are experienced professionals and played at Easter Road, with David Watson, fellow 20-year-old Ethan Brown and Brannan also featuring. All five have come through the ranks at Rugby Park.
Brown was given his debut on Sunday, with 16-year-old midfielder Aaron Davis on the bench too.
This isn't a new trend, and Killie can provide a platform to bigger things. Bobby Wales moved on to Swansea in the summer - netting on his debut in midweek - and banked Killie a decent fee.
So far in the top flight season, Killie have the third-youngest starting XI, with an average age of 25 years and 66 days. Only the two Dundee sides have had marginally younger line-ups.
Scottish players aged under 21 have clocked up 805 minutes of Premiership football so far this season, with Brannan and Watson accounting for 360 of those. Livingston's Macaulay Tait is the only other Scottish youngetser to play both games in full.
With an undefeated start across all competitions and a manager eager to give youth their chance, Killie's young guns are only just beginning to make their mark.
Sandy Armour
Fan writer
Killie may not have an inflated budget like the city clubs, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.
In Stuart Kettlewell we now have a manager who is willing to give youth a chance and there is that extra joy and satisfaction when one of our own makes it into the first team.
David Watson is an outstanding young player who was poorly managed by previous boss Derek McInnes, but he is now back to his old self and will be catching the eye of bigger clubs.
Ethan Brown made his debut at Easter Road and the young Canadian can look forward to many more opportunities to pull on the famous stripes.
The latest jewel in the crown is local lad Ben Brannan, who plays full-back but is our top scorer. He did Sportscene a big favour in letting them close their goal of the season competition in early August by nailing a world-class screamer that secured us a good point away to Hibs.
Brannan will make the club a lot of money in the future when he decides to move, though hopefully he will choose to learn his trade at Killie for a few years yet.
I'd urge Killie fans to get along to the cup game this weekend against Dundee United and give these kids the support they deserve.
Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine
Image source, SNSBen Brannan's Kilmarnock first-team career couldn't have started much better.
Five games, four goals, and one goal-of-the-season contender. The 18-year-old wing-back, who had been played out of position, scored a sensational looping volley to level against Hibs as Stuart Kettlewell's side drew 2-2 at Easter Road after trailing 2-0.
A product of Killie's academy and backed by his new manager to become a first-team regular, Brannan is taking it all in his stride.
"I'm just watching it come down, I'm thinking, should I just take a touch here, pass it, maybe get another cross in," he told BBC Scotland.
"I just feel that I've I feel like I've took confidence for the goals I've scored before, so I just thought, why not?
"I knew we would come back [from 2-0 down]. We've got confidence in the boys. Getting the goal before half-time was massive, and I feel like we got a right kick up the [backside] in the changing room.
"We just took it into the second half. That's what sort of made me shoot as well. I thought we needed to test the keeper."
Kettlewell recently said he has "high hopes" for "eye-catching" Brannan after the teenager scored on his Kilmarnock debut against Brora Rangers in the League Cup earlier this season.
On Sunday's evidence, Brannan is ready to become a Rugby Park mainstay.
"Obviously, I got my chance in the first team this season, and I feel like I just took my chance," Brannan added.
We asked for your views on Kilmarnock's 2-2 draw with Hibs.
Here is what some of you said:
Adam: Well done Killie, a good comeback once you realise Hibs weren't that good. What a goal from the young lad, goal of the month or season contender definitely. Good away point, so now we need some wins.
Robert: So glad Ben Brannan has been tied down to a three-year contract.
Davey: Brilliant fightback after it looked like Hibs would dish out a gubbing. We rattled the Hibs defence and goalie in the second half and could have snuck the win. Impressive given players missing today, especially good that we featured five players who were products of our academy. Delighted youth is being given a chance, loan players are not being used, and the hoofball is ditched.
Neil: Pretty grim first 40 minutes were the unexpected prelude to a cracking Killie recovery. Brannan's goal is one for the archives, and great to have three Academy "graduates" starting in the first team. If only Daniels had squared to Watson…
Brian: Much happier with a team that goes at the opposition with the intent to win. Even at 2-0 down, you could appreciate the team's efforts. We have a belief and a style.
Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter
Ben Brannan: The teenage wingback produced a goal for the ages at Easter Road. As the ball fell from the heavens, he had time to weigh up exactly what he was going to do and executed it perfectly. A wondrous strike as Kilmarnock earned a point at Easter Road.
Marcus Dackers: A brilliant assist for Kilmarnock's goal just before half-time against Hibs, which proved so important. Gave the Hibs defenders a hard time all afternoon.
Highlights: Hibernian 2-2 Kilmarnock
Highlights of Hibs 2-2 Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.
Teenage wing-back Ben Brannan's stunning looping volley helped Kilmarnock recover from two goals down to draw with high-flying Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.
Image source, SNSKilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell told BBC Scotland: "For large parts of the first half, it didn't work and we altered the shape. You can think you're a tactical genius, but it wasn't that - it was how the players applied themselves.
"From that point, we carried more of a threat, we retained the ball better and looked better defensively.
"To be 2-0 down against a team that's absolutely flying at Easter Road, it's a mountain to climb. I'm absolutely delighted by the reaction of the players and the quality of the goals.
"[Brannan's strike] will be spoken about for quite some time. It's some strike, it's unbelievable. We had some other real good moments and spooked Hibs at the back.
"The goal aside, Ben is 18. We gave him his debut, we knew he was talented. I'll not get carried away, he's playing out of position, and he's embraced the whole situation. He's taken everything in his stride and you need that emotional intelligence to give yourself a chance."
Image source, SNSKilmarnock defender Robbie Deas says he has a new view on discipline as he returns from suspension to face Hibernian in the Premiership this weekend.
The 25-year-old missed the opening match of the top-flight season for the second successive year due to suspension, having been sent off against Motherwell in the first half of the final game of the last campaign.
"I only found out maybe 48 hours before the game that I wasn't eligible, so I was disappointed," Deas said.
"That's the last two years I've missed the opening game down to my own doing so it's a lesson learnt and it was tough watching the game on Saturday. I felt pretty helpless so I'm really looking forward to this game."
Despite his regret over his suspension, Deas also admitted that his red card against Motherwell was hard to avoid.
"When I look back at the sending-off against Motherwell at the end of last season, it was a bit more last-ditch and sometimes I can be like that.
"Whereas if I let Lennon Miller go through, he either has a chance of scoring or not, but I'm still on the pitch to make a difference.
"If I make a tackle or take him out, I'm off the pitch for the last 70 minutes and I put the team in a position with 10 men. It's just moments like that."
"I've spoken to coaches about it, I've spoken to my dad about it, different people and it's just all learning for me, but I feel like I'm in a better position now where I know what I'm going to do."
