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

Both sides participated in the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals during the week, with Motherwell bowing out and visitors Aberdeen advancing to the semi-finals.

Match preview

Motherwell commenced the 2022-23 campaign impressively, though recent results under Steven Hammell have meant they have slid down to eighth in the Premiership table.

The Steelmen have recorded just one victory in their last seven league matches and have the worst home record in the division, picking up just four points all season.

Their only triumph at Fir Park this campaign came back in late August, meanwhile they have only scored three goals on home soil in five matches.

In midweek, their home form carried over to their Scottish League Cup endeavours, where Motherwell were on the end of a 4-0 thrashing at the mercy of Celtic due to a double from Liel Abada and goals from Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi.

Manager Hammell will be hoping for some better luck this weekend as Motherwell aim to get their season back on track.

Aberdeen travel south to Fir Park in a positive vein of form, having recorded successive victories under Jim Goodwin to leave themselves fourth in the Scottish Premiership.

The Dons did undergo a sizeable squad rebuild in the summer and look to be reinvigorated in attack, possessing the best offensive record in the league outside of Celtic and Rangers, scoring 20 times.

On Wednesday, Aberdeen managed to seal a place in the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup, defeating Partick Thistle 4-1 at Pittodrie courtesy of goals from Luis Lopes, Hayden Coulson, Ryan Duncan and a Kevin Holt own goal.

They return to league action on Saturday and will be out to prove a point as they have acquired just four points from five matches on the road in the Scottish Premiership.

Should Aberdeen manage to secure a victory against Motherwell, they could leapfrog Hibernian and move into third place.

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:

D

L

L

W

L

L

Motherwell form (all competitions):

L

L

W

L

L

L

Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form:

W

D

L

W

L

W

Aberdeen form (all competitions):

D

L

W

L

W

W

Team News

Motherwell are hopeful that striker Kevin van Veen will be available to face Aberdeen following the Dutchman sustaining a late knock in the cup tie against Celtic.

Louis Moult will once again sit this one out due to injury, while Jake Carroll will also miss out as he continues to recover from knee surgery. Paul McGinn is at risk of suspension should he pick up a booking.

For the visiting side, Jonny Hayes is a doubt as he missed the victory over Partick Thistle during the week. Callum Roberts will not participate in the game at Fir Park as he is still injured.

Other than that, Jim Goodwin has a strong squad to pick from against Motherwell this weekend.

Motherwell possible starting lineup:

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

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:

Roos; Scales, Stewart, McCrorie; Richardson, Clarkson, Ramadani, Barron, Coulson; Lopes, Miovski

We say: Motherwell 1-2 Aberdeen

In a match that will be loaded with plenty of goalscoring opportunities, we expect an entertaining clash that will go right to the wire.

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