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Preview: Motherwell vs. Aberdeen - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 30 October 2023, 21:40
Aberdeen head into Wednesday night on the back of four matches without a victory in all competitions, leaving the club just one place above the Scottish Premiership relegation zone.

Motherwell ended their own four-game losing streak last weekend by drawing against Ross County, which they will now aim to follow up on.

Match preview

Motherwell currently sit sixth in the Scottish Premiership, but a victory in midweek has the potential for the team to climb into fourth place due to how close the table is right now.

However, the Steelmen will need to pick up their first victory in five matches to make that happen, and they will take the positives from last weekend to try to make that happen.

While Motherwell shared the points with Ross County, they showcased their attacking qualities by finding the back of the net three times in the thrilling six-goal encounter.

Stuart Kettlewell's men proved they are willing to fight until the last minute during that match by coming from behind to take a point with Luca Ross scoring a crucial 94th-minute goal.

Motherwell have showcased attacking qualities during their home matches with eight of their 10 goals coming from fixtures at Fir Park.

That is something that Aberdeen will be wary of this weekend, particularly since they have been defensively weaker in away fixtures throughout this campaign.

The visitors were beaten 2-0 against Kilmarnock at the weekend which followed up a loss in the Europa Conference League, marking two defeats in a row since the international break.

The Dons currently find themselves just one place above the relegation zone right now in the Scottish Premiership, and with just goal difference between them and Ross County there is a lot to play for on Wednesday.

Aberdeen have only managed a single victory in away performances this season in the league, and that is something that they will need to improve throughout the season should they want to progress further up the division.

The fact they have failed to score in their past two Scottish Premiership matches is something that Barry Robson will be focusing on with his team.

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:

W

L

L

L

L

D

Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form:

L

L

W

W

D

L

Aberdeen form (all competitions):

W

W

D

D

L

L

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Team News

Ross, Connor Wilkinson and Mika Biereth all found the back of the net from the bench last weekend, and therefore will be in contention to earn a starting place this time around.

The Steelmen were also boosted by the return of Calum Butcher to the bench against Ross County, and while he did not feature in that game, it is a sign that he is one step closer to full fitness.

Dante Polvara was dropped to the bench last weekend by Robson with Duk being chosen ahead of him, and a decision will be made between them as to who joins Bojan Miovski upfront.

The Dons will likely continue to operate with three at the back in this fixture, utilising wing backs with Jamie McGrath likely sitting in the attacking midfield role.

Motherwell possible starting lineup:

Kelly; Casey, Mugabi, McGinley; O'Donnell, Paton, Slattery, Miller, Spencer; Shaw, Bair

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:

Roos; Devlin, Gartenmann, Rubezic, Jensen, MacKenzie; Shinnie, Clarkson, McGrath; Miovski, Duk

We say: Motherwell 2-1 Aberdeen

Both teams are in desperate need of three points right now, and that is something that they will each want to fix in midweek.

Motherwell have showcased strong attacking qualities in home fixture throughout the campaign, and that in itself should give them the edge in this match.

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