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

The visitors are level on points with the Steelmen with both teams sitting just above the Scottish Premiership relegation zone which puts plenty of pressure on this match.

Match preview

It was a night to forget for Stuart Kettlewell on Tuesday as Motherwell's winless run was extended to 12 games when they were defeated 3-0 by Ross County.

The defeat was the Steelmen's eighth in that run, with the game starting dreadfully when they conceded in the second minute, which was something the team never reacted to.

With the pressure on Kettlewell to create improvements from his team he will be hoping to make the necessary tweaks to create a positive result this weekend in a bid to push the club away from the relegation zone.

Motherwell currently sits just one point above the bottom two, showcasing the impact that a defeat could have on them, but after such a long run without a win, it is simply a boost of confidence that is needed.

Defensive issues have been at the heart of the problems this season, with no team in the Scottish Premiership having conceded more than them at this stage.

St Johnstone currently have the opposite issue as they have been struggling at the other end of the pitch, having only scored 10 times in 15 games.

However, only one goal was required in midweek when the Saints picked up three points at the expense of St Mirren as Chris Kane's 95th-minute winner helped the team get out of the relegation zone.

Craig Levein will have been left impressed with the structure and discipline that his team showcased as they kept St Mirren at bay to win a crucial match, and the focus for the team is now to repeat that feat.

St Johnstone are level on points with Motherwell, therefore they have the same threats of possibly dropping back into the bottom two if results go against them this weekend.

The Saints let a two-goal lead slip the last time they faced the Steelmen as the two teams drew 2-2, which is why showcasing more of a cutting edge will be necessary here.

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:

L

D

L

D

D

L

St Johnstone Scottish Premiership form:

W

D

W

L

L

W

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Team News

St Johnstone's injury woes were extended on Tuesday night when Dan Casey and Calum Butcher were hurt, and while the former was not believed to be as bad as first feared, neither man is expected to feature this weekend.

They add to Paul McGinn, Lennon Miller and Pape Souare all of whom are also injured at the moment, with Kettlewell's squad being stretched.

Kane will be hoping that scoring the winner in midweek will be enough to earn him a place from the first whistle this time out.

One player that the visitors could be without is Andrew Considine as he has been on the sidelines recently due to injury

Motherwell possible starting lineup:

Kelly; Gent, Mugabi, Blaney; O'Donnell, Spencer, Wilkinson, Slattery, Spittal; Obika, Biereth

St Johnstone possible starting lineup:

Mitov; Brown, McGowan, Gordon, Robinson; Costelloe, Carey, Phillips, Kucheraivyi, Smith; Kane

We say: Motherwell 0-2 St Johnstone

Motherwell are in the midst of a very difficult period on the pitch, and that is something that might not change this weekend.

While St Johnstone are lower than them in the division, the visitors have showcased more consistency and fight as of late which could be the difference maker.

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