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

The hosts are level on 10 points with league leaders Celtic, while St Mirren are just two points further back in third position.

Match preview

Motherwell have made an encouraging start to the new campaign, having lost just one of their nine opening nine competitive games.

In fact, Motherwell's only loss of the new season took place against St Mirren in the Scottish League Cup last month, ensuring they head into Saturday's with the extra motivation to avenge their cup exit.

The hosts will certainly carry significant momentum into the weekend after winning their last three league matches against Hibernian, Kilmarnock and Hearts.

In their most recent outing, a first-half effort from Callum Slattery was enough to guide Motherwell to a narrow 1-0 win over Hearts despite the fact Stuart Kettlewell's side played the final 20 minutes with 10 men following Paul McGinn's red card.

Including last season, Motherwell have won seven consecutive home games across all competitions, and they will be looking to continue that impressive run as they attempt to keep pace with league leaders Celtic.

After achieving their highest league position since 1985, St Mirren are seemingly intent on bettering last season's sixth-place finish.

They flew out of the blocks to begin the Scottish Premiership season with consecutive victories over Hibernian and Dundee.

After playing out a 2-2 draw with Aberdeen on matchday three, St Mirren extended their unbeaten start in their most recent outing against Livingston.

The Buddies looked to be heading towards their first defeat of the Scottish Premiership season when Luiyi de Lucas gave Livingston the lead, but substitute Stav Nahmani produced a 96th-minute equaliser to snatch a point and preserve St Mirren's unbeaten record.

Ex-Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson will now be looking to beat his former side for the second time this season, but his hopes of claiming another victory will be dampened by the fact St Mirren have failed to win their last four away games against Saturday's opponents (D1, L3).

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:

D

W

W

W

Motherwell form (all competitions):

W

D

W

L

W

W

St Mirren Scottish Premiership form:

W

W

D

D

St Mirren form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

D

D

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Team News

Calum Butcher, Mika Biereth, Pape Souare, Conor Wilkinson and Jon Obika are all ruled out for the hosts due to injury issues.

Blair Spittal and Shane Blaney are both doubts, while goalkeeper Liam Kelly will hope to prove his fitness in time for Saturday's clash after pulling out of the Scotland squad with a back problem.

Motherwell are also without the services of McGinn, who will serve a one-match suspension following his red card in the win over Hearts.

As for the visitors, Robinson has the majority of his squad available for selection, although he is still unable to call upon long-term absentee Jonah Ayunga.

Despite coming off the bench to score against the all-important equaliser against Livingston, Nachmani may have to settle for a place among the substitutes once again, with Robinson expected to name an unchanged lineup.

Mark O'Hara has missed the last four matches through injury, but he could be available to feature in Saturday's contest.

Motherwell possible starting lineup:

Kelly; Casey, Mugabi, McGinley; O'Donnell, Paton, Slattery, Miller, Spencer; Shaw, Bair

St Mirren possible starting lineup:

Hemming; Fraser, Gogic, Taylor; Strain, Baccuc, O'Hara, Tanser; McMenamin, Kiltie, Olusanya

We say: Motherwell 2-1 St Mirren

St Mirren may have got the better of Motherwell in last month's Scottish League Cup fixture, but home advantage was in their favour on that occasion.

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