After 35 league matches it all comes down to game 36, the final match of the Cinch Championship. On Friday night either Dundee or Queen’s Park will be crowned Championship winners. Dundee go into the match knowing that a win or a draw will see them seal the title and promoted back to Scotland’s top division. Queen’s Park although currently in second position in the league and two points behind Dundee know that a win for them will make them champions. It is a cup final and everyone knows what’s at stake going into Friday night.
Dundee had the opportunity to go four points clear last Friday, but were unable to break the deadlock against Cove Rangers with the match ending 0-0 and Dundee going two points ahead of Queen’s. After Dundee’s draw Queen’s had the opportunity on Saturday to go into first place and jump Dundee. They travelled to Greenock to take on Morton but despite taking the lead in the first half they were unable to hold onto their lead and Morton came back scoring twice and winning 2-1. The results last weekend mean that the title goes down to the last day in a winner takes all showpiece in front of the TV cameras.
Both sides have had spells at the top of the table this season and will be desperate to finish the season in the top spot. Dundee’s draw on Friday night saw them extend their unbeaten run to nine matches, after five draws and four victories. They know if they can extend the unbeaten run to ten matches the Championship trophy will be coming back to Dundee. The defeat Queen’s had against Morton on Saturday was their third defeat in five matches, after previously losing to Partick and Raith but they defeated Hamilton and drew to Ayr United.
This Championship decider is the fourth and final meeting of the sides this season. The previous meetings this season have resulted in two Dundee wins and one draw. The two matches in Dundee have both ended in 3-0 victories for the Dee with the last match at Ochilview back in October ending in a 2-2 draw. Dundee know that a repeat of any of these results will be good enough come the final whistle on Friday night.
The demand for tickets for this one has been huge and we would ask everyone with a ticket on Friday to get right behind the players and roar them over the line.
Team News
There are no fresh injuries ahead of this game.
The Manager’s thoughts
On preparing for the Queen’s Park match. “The message to the players has been that nothing changes. It’s the next game. We want to approach it in the same manner. We have done exactly the same preparation and everything that we have done for the previous 35 games and the cup games. If we can be unbeaten at the end of these 90 minutes we will have achieved this objective from the start of the season.”
On Friday night’s match. “I don’t think any manager will tell you can go and set up for a draw. You just have to go on the front foot and have a right good go, and that’s what we have to do. The main thing to do is concentrate on doing your job. It is not a case of reinventing the wheel, we have not lost anything and we will not gain anything. It’s just keeping to the basics. It’s not about centre halves all becoming dribblers and thinking they are Messi. They’ve all got to do the jobs they have been doing all season. That’s been the message really.”
On the fans. “They have been brilliant with myself and Billy Barr ever since we have arrived. They have also been great with the team and have followed us around the country in great numbers. I am pleased that we have been able to get more in on Friday night now and that obviously helps with the atmosphere.”
Ticket Information
Tickets for this match are completely sold out.
Dundee FC wishes to stress in the strongest possible terms that ticketless supporters should NOT travel on Friday. If you do not have a match ticket, you will not be permitted to pass the outer ticket cordon at Tryst Road, which is the only access route into the stadium.
Coverage
The match is live on BBC Scotland.
We will have live updates on our official Twitter feed and half-time and full-time scores will be posted on our official Facebook and Instagram page.
A full match replay, highlights, and post-match interviews will be available after the match on DeeTV.
