Preview: Motherwell vs. Dundee United - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors are without a victory in the league this season, but coming off the back of a win in the Scottish League Cup, they will be aiming to kick on and change that.

Match preview

Motherwell head into this game sitting fifth in the table after a trio of victories and two defeats at the start of the season.

The Steelmen were beaten in their most recent league game when they faced Kilmarnock, conceding twice in the space of five minutes late on despite having taken the lead.

Steven Hammell will have been pleased with how his squad responded in midweek though when they faced Inverness Caledonian Thistle, progressing to the next round with a 4-0 win.

Kevin van Veen showcased his qualities in that game, scoring a hattrick, while an own goal from Daniel Devine added to the situation.

A victory on Saturday could potentially take Motherwell into third place if other results go their way, and that is something that they will be pushing to try and achieve.

Dundee United were also victorious in midweek, which was a result that the squad desperately needed after they failed to win in the opening five league fixtures.

The Terrors had a lot to prove after suffering a heavy 9-0 loss against Celtic which ultimately led to former manager Jack Ross being fired from his job.

The squad reacted from that defeat against Livingston with a 2-1 win after goals from Steven Fletcher and Ian Harkes, which is something they will now want to repeat.

It is important for Dundee United to now take that form from midweek into the weekend, which they desperately need as they currently sit bottom of the league.

So far they have taken just a single point from the season after drawing against Kilmarnock, but that took place all the way back on game week one.

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:

Motherwell form (all competitions):

Dundee United Scottish Premiership form:

Dundee United form (all competitions):

Team News

Van Veen has scored four goals in the past two Motherwell performances, and he is sure to find himself in the starting lineup once again on Saturday.

The hosts will be without Jake Carroll and Nathan McGinley once again this weekend, but that is something that has been the case for several games now.

Liam Fox got his run as the interim head coach started perfectly in midweek, and he could opt to make no changes after guiding them to their first win of the season.

He brought four players into the team for his first selection, as Charlie Mulgrew, Aziz Behich, Jamie McGrath and Tony Watt could all be pushing to keep their places.

Motherwell possible starting lineup:

Kelly; McGinn, Johansen, Lamie, Penney; Slattery, Goss, Tierney; Spittal, Van Veen, Efford

Dundee United possible starting lineup:

Eriksson; Mulgrew, Edwards, Graham; Behich, Harkes, Levitt, McGrath, Smith; Watt, Fletcher

We say: Motherwell 2-0 Dundee United

Dundee United might have picked up their first victory of the season in midweek, but when it comes to the Scottish Premiership they are still without three points.

Motherwell have been one of the strongest teams in the division so far, and with their attacking qualities they should have enough quality to take three points.

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