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Motherwell logo
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 5
Aug 22, 2020 at 3pm UK
Fir Park
Hamilton logo

Motherwell
0 - 1
Hamilton


O'Donnell (81'), Gallagher (82')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Odofin (86')
Templeton (46')

Preview: Motherwell vs. Hamilton Academical - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Scottish Premiership fixture between Motherwell and Hamilton Academical, including team news and predicted lineups.

Motherwell and Hamilton Academical square off on Saturday afternoon with both clubs still looking for their first victory in the Scottish Premiership this season.

While the home side have two draws to their name, Hamilton have netted just one goal during their three successive defeats.


Match preview

General view of Fir Park, home of Motherwell, from November 2011© Reuters

After last season's third-placed finish, Stephen Robinson will be frustrated that his Motherwell side have failed to prevail in any of their opening four fixtures.

However, on the back of a goalless draw at Hibernian, a result which ended the 100% record of their opponents, Robinson will be optimistic that an improved run is just around the corner.

With only Rangers and Hibs in double figures, there is a window of opportunity to quickly close the gap on teams whom they will perceive to be their rivals for a top-four position come the end of the season.

Nevertheless, they will not make progress up the standings unless they can improve their current ratio in front of goal, which stands at two goals in four outings.

While none of their forwards has found the back of the net, Robinson will at least be grateful to have Wigan Athletic loanee Callum Lang as an option again after a spell out through suspension.

Of the clubs who have played three or more matches, only Hamilton have a worse record in the final third than their hosts on Saturday afternoon.

That solitary goal came via a Celtic player during the 5-1 defeat at Glasgow, a result which has been followed by further setbacks against Ross County and St Mirren respectively.

Despite improvements made at the back leading to just two goals being conceded in as many games, manager Brian Rice will be concerned about his team's output at the opposite end of the pitch.

Hamilton ended the last campaign having put together a four-match unbeaten streak, but the Accies look far away from producing that kind of form ahead of their trip to Fir Park for the Lanarkshire derby.

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form: LLDD

Hamilton Academical Scottish Premiership form: LLL


Team News

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson pictured in April 2018© Reuters

Despite an impressive point at Easter Road, Robinson may make changes to his Motherwell side.

Jermaine Hylton and Tony Watt are both pushing for a recall in the final third, potentially at the expense of Sherwin Seedorf and Jordan White respectively.

David Turnbull is likely to retain his place in midfield, despite speculation regarding a switch to Celtic.

As for Hamilton, Justin Johnson may be given his first start since his arrival at the club earlier this month.

Marios Ogkmpoe is also pushing for a return in attack.

Motherwell possible starting lineup:
Carson; O'Donnell, Gallagher, Mugabi, Lamie; Campbell, O'Hara, Turnbull; Hylton, Watt, Lang

Hamilton Academical possible starting lineup:
Fulton; Hodson, Odoffin, Want, McMann; Johnson, Callachan, Martin, Winter; Moyo, Templeton


SM words green background

We say: Motherwell 2-1 Hamilton Academical

Having shown improvement in recent games, Motherwell begin this contest as the clear favourites. While it may be tighter than many are predicting, we expect the home side to edge out their bottom-of-the-table opponents by the odd goal in three.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting that at least one team will not score (BTTS - no) in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.BTTS No:data

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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Motherwell win with a probability of 57.6%. A draw had a probability of 23% and a win for Hamilton Academical had a probability of 19.38%.

The most likely scoreline for a Motherwell win was 1-0 with a probability of 11.69%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-0 (10.49%) and 2-1 (9.83%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (10.94%), while for a Hamilton Academical win it was 0-1 (6.1%). The actual scoreline of 0-1 was predicted with a 6.1% likelihood.


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Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson pictured in April 2018
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts000046341262
4Kilmarnock00004334951
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian00004451-739
2Motherwell00004651-537
3Aberdeen00003549-1435
4St Johnstone00002446-2231
5Ross County00003256-2430
6Livingston00002259-3718
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


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