Motherwell will make their return to action in the Scottish Premiership this Friday night when they host Kilmarnock at Fir Park Stadium.
The hosts come into this one following a prolonged break due to their match against St Mirren being cancelled last weekend, while Kilmarnock enter the fray off the back of a defeat to Hearts.
Match preview
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Motherwell have endured an inconsistent 2022-23 campaign so far and sit ninth in the Scottish Premiership ranks with 17 points from 16 matches under Steven Hammell.
The Steelmen have won just once in their last eight attempts in all competitions, leaving them just two points above the relegation playoff spot going into their match against Kilmarnock.
Despite Motherwell being pencilled in to play St Mirren at Fir Park last Saturday, the tie was one of several matches in Scotland that were called off due to the winter elements.
On home soil, Motherwell have struggled to generate any sort of momentum in the league, taking just four points from seven matches, which is the worst record in the entire division.
This weekend, Motherwell will look to reverse their back luck at home and could leapfrog Hibernian into eighth in the Scottish Premiership if other results in the division fall their way.
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Kilmarnock could also do with a positive run of results, following a difficult first period of the campaign that has left them 11th in the table with 15 points from 17 encounters.
Derek McInnes has done an admirable job since taking over at Killie in January 2022. However, his side have struggled with the pace of the Scottish Premiership since being promoted.
Kilmarnock have scored the fewest goals in the league with just 13 efforts converted while also having the second-worst defensive record in the division, which will need to change if they are to stay up.
Last time out, Kilmarnock were on the end of a 3-1 defeat away to Hearts at Tynecastle Stadium, with a double from Lawrence Shankland and a strike from Josh Ginnelly being enough to cancel out an Ash Taylor reply.
Their attention will now turn towards Motherwell on Friday, where Kilmarnock could potentially move out of the relegation playoff spot with a victory.
Team News
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Motherwell will be without striker Louis Moult, who is currently being assessed back at his parent club Burton Albion for a serious injury concern.
Jake Carroll remains out of contention due to a knee issue, while Bevis Mugabi is a doubt for the hosts for the same reason.
Rolando Aarons has recovered from a hamstring twinge and could be involved from the start. Stephen O'Donnell will likely be given the nod at fullback ahead of the absent Paul McGinn.
For the visitors, Scott Robinson could be involved from the start following his return from a long-term injury at Tynecastle last week.
Kyle Lafferty is still suspended for Kilmarnock and will not participate against Motherwell due to conduct away from the field of play.
Calum Waters is still a bit away from recovering from a hamstring problem, while Alan Power, Rory McKenzie and Ash Taylor are all at risk of suspension if they pick up a booking during the match.
Motherwell possible starting lineup:
Kelly; O'Donnell, Solholm Johansen, Lamie, Penney; Goss, Slattery, Spittal; McKinstry, Shields, Van Veen
Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
Hemming; Mayo, Taylor, Wright, McInroy; Armstrong, Donnelly, Power, Polworth; McKenzie; Robinson
We say: Motherwell 1-0 Kilmarnock
In a match with permutations at the bottom end of the table, we expect a closely fought affair which could go right to the wire as both teams search for some momentum.
On this occasion, Motherwell will just do enough to edge past Kilmarnock and move further away from the relegation playoff slot.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
