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

Locked together on points in the Scottish Premiership standings, Ross County and Motherwell meet in Dingwall on Tuesday evening.

The hosts have a game in hand after their weekend clash with Livingston was called off due to freezing conditions, while their visitors snatched a late point in a six-goal thriller.

Match preview

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Ross County have been in the ascendant after a fine start by new boss Derek Adams, who is back for a third spell at Victoria Park, but their momentum was quelled by the wintry weather that descended on Scotland at the weekend.

Following a pitch inspection on Saturday morning, the Staggies' Premiership match against rock-bottom Livingston was postponed, as the artificial surface at the Tony Macaroni Arena remained frozen.

They do not have long to wait before their next game, though, as Adams seeks to continue his team's upswing since the former Morecambe manager took over from Malky Mackay during the most recent international break.

County had been level with Livi at the bottom of the table, but a goalless draw against Kilmarnock was then followed by a very welcome victory last time out.

Jordan White's late winner saw the Staggies claim maximum points versus high-flying St Mirren to move them further away from trouble, and they now meet a side they drew 3-3 with in October's dramatic reverse fixture.

Motherwell salvaged a point in stoppage time when they welcomed Ross County to Fir Park just a few weeks ago, with Luca Ross netting a late leveller to finish off an eventful encounter.

Remarkably, the Steelmen now travel to Dingwall having just repeated that feat, by virtue of Connor Wilkinson's 97th-minute equaliser at home to Dundee on Saturday afternoon.

After finding themselves 2-1 down at half time and lacking any rhythm, Stuart Kettlewell's 10-man team struck back at the death, but they are now winless in 11 league games - losing on seven occasions.

Motherwell last tasted success in mid-September, so heading into their second December fixture they will be desperate to end that streak against a fellow Scottish Premiership struggler.

After taking an unlikely point away from Celtic Park and then fighting back for a 3-3 draw at the weekend, the North Lanarkshire club moved further clear of the bottom two, but an overdue victory will be their sole objective on Tuesday.

Team News

While Ross County hope to have Josh Sims available again following illness, striker Eamonn Brophy is not yet ready to return from a foot injury.

Jordan White netted County's winner last week, and after scoring his fifth goal of the season, the 31-year-old should start up front again, partnered by Simon Murray and supported by playmaker Yan Dhanda.

Motherwell, meanwhile, must make at least one change to the XI that lined up against Dundee, as Harry Paton's red card results in a suspension. Callum Slattery returns from a one-match ban, so Stuart Kettlewell could opt for a straight swap in midfield.

Jonathan Obika started on Saturday, having come off the bench and grabbed a late equaliser at Celtic Park, so should continue up front.

Both Paul McGinn and 17-year-old starlet Lennon Miller remain sidelined by injury, while Pape Souare is a long-term absentee.

Ross County possible starting lineup:

Laidlaw; Nightingale, Baldwin, Leak; Brown, Randall, Allardice, Purrington; Dhanda; White, Murray

Motherwell possible starting lineup:

Kelly; Casey, Mugabi, Blaney; O'Donnell, Spencer, Butcher, Slattery, Spittal; Obika, Biereth

We say: Ross County 1-0 Motherwell

Moving above their visitors in the Premiership standings, Ross County can continue their improvement under returning boss Derek Adams and secure three precious points; Motherwell's long wait for a win will go on.

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