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Motherwell logo
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 36
May 20, 2023 at 3pm UK
Fir Park
Ross County

Motherwell
1 - 0
Ross County

van Veen (90+9' pen.)
Casey (57'), Aitchison (79'), Spittal (84')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Edwards (85')
Edwards (90+1')

Preview: Motherwell vs. Ross County - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Scottish Premiership clash between Motherwell and Ross County, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Motherwell welcome a Ross County side in danger of relegation to Fir Park on Saturday in the Scottish Premiership.

Excellent recent form means Motherwell are comfortably safe, but the visitors are still deep in trouble.


Match preview

Motherwell's Kevin van Veen celebrates with teammates after scoring their first goal on April 22, 2023© Reuters

Despite already being in the midst of a fantastic run of form, Motherwell entered the relegation group with their top-flight survival still hanging in the balance.

They were just six points clear of the bottom two, but another two wins since the league's split have confirmed their status as a Premiership club for next season.

Had the league not split, Motherwell would now be just six points off a European spot even though they have been fighting relegation all season.

It is safe to say the split came at just the wrong time, with their season now gathering momentum, but ultimately having nothing to play for.

They were level on points with Dundee United after 24 league games, and a cup defeat to Raith Rovers saw Steve Hammill sacked, but since Stuart Kettlewell's appointment, Motherwell have taken 23 points in his 11 games in charge.

The form of Kevin van Veen has been a huge factor in Motherwell's remarkable turn in fortunes, as the Dutchman has scored in eight consecutive matches, notching three braces in that time.

To illustrate just how incredible Van Veen's season has been, his tally of 22 is only bettered by Kyogo Furuhashi of Celtic.

Motherwell have won 5-0 and 2-0 away in Dingwall this season, but they drew the only meeting with Ross County at Fir Park this season.

That could offer further encouragement to a Ross County side who come into this fixture on the back of consecutive victories to strengthen their hopes of survival.

Heading into the relegation group, County were rooted to the bottom of the table, four points adrift of Kilmarnock and Dundee United.

However, a huge win at Dundee United last weekend lifted them off the bottom of the standings at their opponents' expense.

Jordan White's hat-trick inspired Malky Mackay's side to a 3-1 win at Tannadice, taking his league tally into double figures for the season.

Another boost for County has been their improved away form, as they have now won two of their last three on the road, having gone on an eight-game winless streak before that.

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:

Ross County Scottish Premiership form:


Team News

Ross County manager Malky Mackay reacts on April 2, 2023© Reuters

Long-term injuries continue to clog up Motherwell's injury list, as Jake Carroll and Nathan McGinley have both been missing for almost a year.

Morecambe loanee Jonathan Obika is also out for the hosts, along with Ross Tierney, who has a groin injury.

Mackay is set to be without four of his Ross County players for the rest of the season, with Wigan Athletic loanee Gwion Edwards among those sidelined.

Edwards has played just five times since joining from the Latics, and a hamstring injury means a return before the end of the campaign is unlikely.

An ACL injury to Ross Callachan has ended his season, while Ben Paton and Eamonn Brophy are also absent.

Motherwell possible starting lineup:
Kelly; McGinn, Butcher, Casey; O'Donnell, Slattery, Goss, Spittal, Furlong; Mandron, Van Veen

Ross County possible starting lineup:
Laidlaw; Randall, Baldwin, Iacovitti; Sims, Cancola, Loturi, Dhanda, Harmon; White, Samuel


SM words green background

We say: Motherwell 2-0 Ross County

Motherwell have been cruising to victories ever since Kettlewell took charge, with only the top three amassing more points in that time.

Despite good form of their own, Ross County may struggle to deal with the likes of Van Veen and Mikael Mandron in attack for a side who are flying at the moment.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals 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.Over 1.5:data


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Written by
Andrew Delaney

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Game History

How you voted: Motherwell vs Ross County

Motherwell
90.9%
Draw
9.1%
Ross County
0.0%
11
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Celtic's Alistair Johnston and teammates celebrate after the match on April 8, 2023
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1514104444043
2Aberdeen16104230181234
3RangersRangers1510232791832
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd156632215724
5Motherwell157171823-522
6Dundee165472729-219
7St Mirren165381926-718
8Ross County163671230-1815
9St Johnstone1642101829-1114
10Kilmarnock163581734-1714
11Hearts163491825-713
12Hibernian162681828-1012


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