Preview: Motherwell vs. St Johnstone - prediction, team news, lineups

At a time when the home side are one of four teams level on the lowest points in the standings, the visitors hold a four-point lead over that quartet.

Match preview

On the back of European qualification, big things were expected of Motherwell this campaign, but their season has been completely underwhelming.

Their currently winless streak in the Scottish Premiership stands at nine matches, albeit with four draws being posted during that time.

With just one win in 13 outings, Steven Hammell's team are only saved from sitting in the bottom three by possessing a superior goal difference to the teams below,them.

A 1-1 draw with 11th-placed Ross County was followed by a 1-0 defeat at St Mirren at the weekend, the Steelmen going down to a 16th-minute goal.

While Motherwell now have six matches in front of them without having to play Celtic or Rangers, they are aware that they must take advantage if they want to avoid a relegation scrap.

Despite sitting four points ahead of their upcoming opponents, St Johnstone have put together a worse run of form in comparison to their hosts.

Callum Davidson has witnessed his side lose seven successive matches, six of which have come in the top flight, and it has left St Johnstone six points adrift of the top six.

On a slightly more positive note, the Saints only went down 1-0 and 2-0 in their last two fixtures, both coming against Rangers in the Scottish Cup and league.

With Celtic to follow on Sunday, Davidson knows that defeat in this fixture would leave St Johnstone at risk of being pulled into the bottom two by the end of the week.

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:

D

L

D

L

D

L

Motherwell form (all competitions):

L

D

L

D

W

L

St Johnstone Scottish Premiership form:

L

L

L

L

L

L

St Johnstone form (all competitions):

L

L

L

L

L

L

Team News

Lammell is unlikely to make major changes to his Motherwell XI, potentially sticking with the same team from the narrow defeat at St Mirren.

Ross Tierney, Dean Cornelius and Oliver Crankshaw are all in contention for recalls in central midfield and on the flank respectively.

St Johnstone will have to make do without Nicky Clark after the forward was sent off during the first half at Rangers.

Stevie May is most likely to deputise down the middle of the attack, and further alterations may be made if Davidson feels that fresh legs are required.

Graham Carey could be restored to the midfield, with Melker Hallberg dropping into a deeper position.

Motherwell possible starting lineup:

Kelly; Johnston, Blaney, Lamie, McGinn; Cornelius, Slattery, Goss; Shields, Van Veen, McKinstry

St Johnstone possible starting lineup:

Matthews; Brown, Gordon, Considine, Montgomery; Hallberg, Phillips; Wright, Carey, McLennan; May

We say: Motherwell 2-1 St Johnstone

With both of these teams on prolonged runs without a league win, few people will expect a match of a high quality. Nevertheless, we feel that Motherwell will do enough to record all three points, bringing St Johnstone back into the scrap at the bottom.

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