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

After finishing a long way clear of the drop in the Relegation Group last season, Motherwell have been unable to kick on, as another failure to finish in the top six looks very possible.

Match preview

Stuart Kettlewell's appointment last season gave Motherwell the boost they needed, as they lifted themselves from the bottom of the table to 19 points clear of relegation by the end of the season.

However, losing top marksman Kevin van Veen - who left for Groningen in his homeland - has been extremely detrimental to the side, who are now winless in 10 games - losing seven.

Kettlewell has been afforded more time thanks to a spirited display last weekend which saw them take an unlikely point away from Celtic Park.

After going behind through an 86th-minute penalty, after goalkeeper Liam Kelly had already denied Luis Palma from the spot, Jonathan Obika popped up with an equaliser on the 90-minute mark to salvage a draw.

However, Motherwell remain just three points off the bottom, and the two sides directly below them both have games in hand, so Kettlewell needs a win sooner rather than later.

After winning seven straight home games during the back end of last season and the start of the new campaign, the hosts are not helped by a run of form which has now seen them go winless in five here - losing four.

Dundee meanwhile, have put themselves in a strong position to attack the top six following a decent run of form.

Still having a game in hand, Dundee are just one place below the Championship Group, but are only outside of it on goal difference to Kilmarnock.

Getting used to being away from home comforts will be important, though, as this will be Dundee's first away game since October.

Four straight home games brought differing results for Tony Docherty's side, as they began that stretch of games by being thrashed 5-0 by Rangers.

Back-to-back wins soon followed, though, as a 1-0 win over struggling Livingston came before an impressive 4-0 hammering of high-flying St Mirren.

However, Dundee were beaten again at the weekend, going down 2-1 to Hibernian, being unable to come back despite playing for almost 30 minutes against 10 men.

Their previous away outing all the way back in October brought success for Docherty though, as Livingston were undone by two late goals from defender Joe Shaughnessy, his first strikes for the club.

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:

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L

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D

L

D

Dundee Scottish Premiership form:

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W

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Team News

A cheekbone fracture suffered in defeat to Kilmarnock will keep Motherwell's Paul McGinn out of this clash, while fellow defender Pape Souare remains a long-term absentee.

After breaking into the side at just 16 earlier in the season, making nine league appearances, Lennon Miller is expected to miss out with a knee injury again for the hosts.

Obika will be knocking on the manager's door hoping for a start here, following his late goal at Celtic, which came in just his second substitute appearance after recovering from injury.

Josh Mulligan, recovering from a hernia operation, remains the only player on the treatment table for Dundee heading into this clash.

Over the last three matches, there has only been one personnel change from manager Docherty, with Malachi Boateng replacing Mohamad Sylla in midfield for the win over St Mirren.

Defeat to Hibs last weekend is unlikely to cause any knee-jerk reaction from the manager, who could stay unchanged.

Motherwell possible starting lineup:

Kelly; O'Donnell, Casey, Mugabi, Blaney, Spencer; Slattery, Butcher, Paton; Biereth, Spittal

Dundee possible starting lineup:

Carson; McGhee, Portales, Shaughnessy, Lamie, Beck; Cameron, Boateng, McCowan; Bakayoko, Rudden

We say: Motherwell 1-1 Dundee

Motherwell's long winless run is bound to end soon, and Kettlewell needs it to in order to ease the pressure on himself, despite a spirited effort in drawing away to Celtic last week.

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