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

The visitors are currently 11th in the table, six points behind eighth-placed Motherwell, with the league now being divided into two sections.

Match preview

Motherwell have won 10, drawn seven and lost 16 of their 33 Scottish Premiership matches this season to collect 37 points, which has left them eighth in the table, now second in the bottom section of the division, with the table being split in two for the final stages of the season.

The Well are six points clear of Kilmarnock, who are currently in the position which would see them take part in the Premiership playoff final against a team from the second tier.

Stuart Kettlewell's side will enter this match off the back of a 1-1 draw with Celtic on April 22, while they have picked up seven points from the last 12 available during a strong run.

Motherwell have five games left this season against Kilmarnock, St Johnstone, Ross County, Livingston and Dundee United, and it would be a surprise to see them pulled into trouble.

The Steelmen are winless in their last four matches against Kilmarnock, with their last success against Saturday's opponents coming in February 2021.

Kilmarnock, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 2-0 win over St Mirren, with Liam Donnelly and Christian Doidge on the scoresheet at the SMISA Stadium.

Killie, as mentioned, are currently in the danger zone, sitting 11th in the table, or fifth now that the league has split, which has left them in the position to play in the Premiership playoff final.

The strugglers are only four points clear of 12th-placed Ross County, meanwhile, with the position at the bottom of the table meaning automatic relegation to the second tier.

Derek McInnes's side finished top of the Scottish Championship last season to earn promotion to the Scottish Premiership, but they are now facing the prospect of dropping back down.

Killie have two home matches after this one against Livingston and St Johnstone, before travelling to Dundee United ahead of their final game at home to Ross County on May 28.

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:

W

L

W

W

L

D

Kilmarnock Scottish Premiership form:

L

D

W

L

L

W

Kilmarnock form (all competitions):

L

D

W

L

L

W

Team News

Motherwell will be missing four players for Saturday's game, with Ross Tierney, Jonathan Obika, Joseph Efford and Nathan McGinley on the sidelines.

Dan Casey is also a doubt, having been forced off against Celtic, which could lead to Shane Blaney coming in for a start on Saturday afternoon.

Kevin van Veen has scored 20 league goals during an excellent campaign, and the Dutchman will again operate in the final third of the field for the home side.

As for Kilmarnock, Liam Polworth and Ben Chrisene will again miss out through injury, but the visitors are otherwise in strong shape heading into the contest.

Due to the nature of the performance and result against St Mirren, it would not be a surprise to see the same starting XI for this weekend's match.

Daniel Armstrong is the team's leading goalscorer in the league this season with seven, and the 25-year-old will again feature in a midfield area for Killie here.

Motherwell possible starting lineup:

Kelly; McGinn, Butcher, Blaney; Johnston, Goss, Slattery, Furlong; Spittal, Paton, Van Veen

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:

Walker; Mayo, Taylor, Chambers; Armstrong, Power, Donnelly, Watson, McKenzie; Vassell, Doidge

We say: Motherwell 1-1 Kilmarnock

Kilmarnock will enter this match off the back of an away win over St Mirren, but Motherwell impressively drew with Celtic last time out. The last two matches between the two sides have finished level, and we can see the points again being shared on Saturday afternoon.

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