Preview: Motherwell vs. Ross County - prediction, team news, lineups

Excellent recent form means Motherwell are comfortably safe, but the visitors are still deep in trouble.

Match preview

Despite already being in the midst of a fantastic run of form, Motherwell entered the Relegation group with their top-flight survival still hanging in the balance.

They were just six points clear of the bottom two, but another two wins since the league's split have confirmed their status as a Premiership club for next season.

Had the league not split, Motherwell would now be just six points off a European spot even though they have been fighting relegation all season.

It is safe to say the split came at just the wrong time, with their season now gathering momentum, but ultimately having nothing to play for.

Sitting level on points with Dundee United after 24 league games, and a cup defeat to Raith Rovers saw Steve Hammill sacked, but since Stuart Kettlewell's appointment, Motherwell have taken 23 points in his 11 games in charge.

The form of Kevin van Veen has been a huge factor in Motherwell's remarkable turn in fortunes, as the Dutchman has scored in eight consecutive matches, notching three braces in that time.

To illustrate just how incredible Van Veen's season has been, his tally of 22 is only bettered by Kyogo Furuhashi of Celtic.

Motherwell have won 5-0 and 2-0 away in Dingwall this season, but they drew the only meeting with Ross County at Fir Park this season.

That could offer further encouragement to a Ross County side who come into this fixture on the back of consecutive victories to strengthen their hopes of survival.

Heading into the Relegation group, County were rooted to the bottom of the table, four points adrift of Kilmarnock and Dundee United.

However, a huge win at Dundee United last weekend lifted them off the bottom of the standings at their opponents expense.

Jordan White's hat-trick inspired Malky Mackay's side to a 3-1 win at Tannadice, taking his league tally into double figures for the season.

Another boost for County has been their improved away form, as they have now won two of their last three on the road, having gone on an eight-game winless streak before that.

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:

W

W

L

D

W

W

Ross County Scottish Premiership form:

L

W

L

L

W

W

Team News

Long-term injuries continue to clog up Motherwell's injury list, as Jake Carroll and Nathan McGinley have both been missing for almost a year.

Morecambe loanee Jonathan Obika is also out for the hosts, along with Ross Tierney who has a groin injury.

Mackay is set to be without four of his Ross County players for the rest of the season, with Wigan Athletic loanee Gwion Edwards among those sidelined.

Edwards has played just five times since joining from the Latics, and a hamstring injury means a return before the end of the campaign is unlikely.

An ACL injury to Ross Callachan has ended his season, while Ben Paton and Eamonn Brophy are also absent.

Motherwell possible starting lineup:

Kelly; McGinn, Butcher, Casey; O'Donnell, Slattery, Goss, Spittal, Furlong; Mandron, Van Veen

Ross County possible starting lineup:

Laidlaw; Randall, Baldwin, Iacovitti; Sims, Cancola, Loturi, Dhanda, Harmon; White, Samuel

We say: Motherwell 2-0 Ross County

Motherwell have been cruising to victories ever since Kettlewell took charge, with only the top three amassing more points in that time.

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