Preview: Motherwell vs. St Mirren - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts are just two points above the bottom two, meanwhile St Mirren could climb up to fourth in the table with three points on Saturday.

Match preview

Motherwell had a difficult first section of the campaign with just five victories from their opening 16 fixtures in the league.

The last of those took place at the end of October, and the team head into this game on the back of a four-match run without a victory, which included three defeats.

The most recent of them was a friendly match during the World Cup break against Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur which saw the Steelmen defeated 4-0.

While playing at home is something that typically favours a team, that might not be the case for Motherwell this weekend as they have won just once at Fir Park.

With just two points between them and the relegation zone, a defeat could leave Steven Hammell's team in a difficult situation heading into the festive period.

That is something that the visitors will be hoping to make happen, especially since a victory could allow them to move into fourth place if other results go their way.

However, they will need to improve upon the performance their performance from the opening day of the season which led to a 1-0 loss against Motherwell.

The Steelmen finished that match with 10 men after Ricki Lamie was sent off in the second half, but a penalty from Kevin van Veen was another to separate the teams that day.

Since then St Mirren have kicked on which has led them to a midtable place heading into the next section of the season.

Away performances are something that Steve Robinson will be wanting to see improve though as they have just won a single league match on the road to this point.

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:

L

L

W

L

L

D

Motherwell form (all competitions):

L

L

W

L

L

D

St Mirren Scottish Premiership form:

D

W

L

L

D

D

Team News

Both teams will be bringing fresh squads into this match after a lengthy break due to the World Cup, and that period has allowed each manager to work on things behind closed doors.

New formations and different players in the starting lineup could be on display this weekend as every club in the league looks to get back on track with immediate effect.

One name that is likely to retain his place in Motherwell's team is van Veen, who has been a focal point in the attacking options throughout the season.

Trevor Carson will be the man trying to keep the Steelmen at bay throughout the match as he will be playing in goal for the visitors.

Meanwhile Richard Tait could also be an option for St Mirren with the break from league action likely to have been enough time for his groin problem to be dealt with.

Motherwell possible starting lineup:

Kelly; McGinn, Solholm Johansen, Lamie, Penney; Slattery, Goss; Spittal, Shields, McKinstry; Van Veen

St Mirren possible starting lineup:

Carson; Strain, Fraser, Gallagher, Dunne, Tanser; Baccus, Erhahon, O'Hara; Main, Ayunga

We say: Motherwell 1-2 St Mirren

Motherwell's struggling home form will come up against a team that has found it difficult to secure three points on the road, which should lead to an interesting encounter.

However, it is St Mirren who have been the more impressive outfit this season, and that should see them earn the win.

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