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

Both sides do battle on the back of exits in the Scottish Cup, with the Well losing 3-1 at Raith Rovers and Celtic defeating Saints 5-1.

Match preview

It has not been an encouraging 2023 for Motherwell, who have gone six Premiership games in the New Year without winning.

The North Lanarkshire outfit's poor run of results extends even further, with their last league win coming in October, when they picked up a 1-0 success at Dundee United.

Motherwell have gone 11 league fixtures without maximum points, and the cup exit at Raith Rovers last Saturday proved to be the final straw for the club's hierarchy, prompting the dismissal of Steve Hammell after only six months in charge.

Stuart Kettlewell has been placed in interim charge for Wednesday, and the 38-year-old seeks to secure the team's first league triumph of 2023.

The Well are the only side in Scotland's top division yet to taste a win since the turn of the year, an undesirable run that leaves them second-bottom on goal difference.

St Mirren stand in the home side's path to ending a wretched streak without a victory, with the visitors still coming to terms with their heavy 5-1 thrashing by Celtic in the cup last time out.

Saints boss Stephen Robinson felt the result was not a fair reflection of proceedings at Celtic Park but must now lift his troops for the visit to Fir Park in midweek.

The game — rescheduled from December owing to the stadium damage caused by the weather — could see St Mirren return to winning ways after two defeats in all competitions.

Their last outing in league football was a 1-0 loss at the hands of Hibernian, an outcome which saw Hibs leapfrog Robinson's side in the Premiership standings.

The Paisley-based club will supplant the fifth-placed Hibees if they win on Wednesday, with fourth also a possibility, albeit after having played a game more than incumbents of fourth spot Livingston.

That said, Saints must rise above an underwhelming away record that has seen them claim just eight points from an available 33 on their travels, even if Motherwell's record at Fir Park — six points from 11 games — equally leaves much to be desired.

The reverse fixture — which was held at the end of January — saw St Mirren claim a slim 1-0 victory.

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:

D

L

D

L

L

L

Motherwell form (all competitions):

D

W

L

L

L

L

St Mirren Scottish Premiership form:

D

L

L

W

W

L

St Mirren form (all competitions):

L

W

W

W

L

L

Team News

Hammell's departure at Motherwell throws up personnel and tactical questions before Wednesday's meeting with St Mirren.

Kevin van Veen is the Well's top scorer and is expected to play from the off, looking to add to his 10 Premiership goals.

The Dutchman finally scored from open play for the first time in over a month in the cup defeat, and the 31-year-old will hope to find the back of the net against Saints, having dropped to the bench in Hammell's final league game in charge at Aberdeen at the start of February.

Robinson has utilised a 5-3-2 all season, and a deviation from that approach is unlikely.

The goals have been spread across the side, but Curtis Main's six strikes in the league make him St Mirren's top marksman in 2022-23.

Alex Greive is expected to play in tandem with the Englishman up front, having enjoyed a run of starts since Jonah Ayunga ruptured his cruciate ligaments in late January.

Full-blooded wing-back Ryan Strain has set up four goals this term and should continue on the right flank.

Defender Richard Tait suffered a setback last month in his rehabilitation from a groin injury and remains out, with his last appearance coming in October.

Richard Taylor is suspended following last Saturday's sending-off at Celtic.

Motherwell possible starting lineup:

Kelly; Johnston, O'Donnell, McGinn, Lamie, Furlong; Slattery, Spittal, Goss; Van Veen, Obika

St Mirren possible starting lineup:

Carson; Strain, Fraser, Gogic, Dunne, Tanser; Kiltie, Baccus, O'Hara; Main, Greive

We say: Motherwell 2-2 St Mirren

Neither side seems capable of keeping clean sheets, with only one shutout recorded in their last 10 Premiership games combined.

Motherwell have changed head coach, but that is unlikely to be the fillip required to end an 11-game winless run in the competition at a ground where they struggle to keep visitors at arm's length.

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