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

St Johnstone head into their clash with Motherwell on Saturday looking to claim their fifth Scottish Premiership victory and win back-to-back league matches for the first time this campaign.

Motherwell, meanwhile, are also looking for their fifth top flight victory, which would be their third away league win in a row.

Match preview

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St Johnstone's good run of form in all competitions continued last weekend as they defeated Peterhead 3-1 in the Scottish League Cup.

Stevie May's brace saw his goal tally rise to eight in all competitions this season, five of which have come in the Scottish League Cup.

St Johnstone's last league match saw Callum Davidson's side win 1-0 at home to Kilmarnock, which means that the Saints are now unbeaten in their previous three league games.

A win on Saturday could see St Johnstone climb above Motherwell and move up to fifth place in the Scottish Premiership table.

Motherwell went into the international break after suffering a 4-1 home defeat to Celtic, which ended their hopes of winning three league matches on the bounce.

The Steelmen have however won both of their last two away league games by an aggregate 5-0 scoreline, beating Aberdeen 3-0 and Livingston 2-0. They last won three straight away games in the top flight without conceding back in September 2010.

Motherwell go into Saturday's fixture with a good record against the hosts, winning five of their last seven league meetings and keeping a clean sheet in four of their previous six encounters.

Motherwell defeated St Johnstone 1-0 earlier on this season, with Allan Campbell's strike enough to secure the three points in September.

A repeat result this weekend would see Steve Robinson's side potentially climb to fifth in the table, winning their fifth league match in seven outings.

St Johnstone Scottish Premiership form: LLLWDW St Johnstone form (all competitions): WWDWLW

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form: WWLWWL Motherwell form (all competitions): WLLWWL

Team News

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St Johnstone's Shaun Rooney, who started the previous two Scottish League Cup matches, is likely to drop to the bench with Danny McNamara set to be recalled to the starting lineup.

Craig Conway and David Wotherspoon could start together in advanced midfield roles, playing just behind striker Stevie May.

Motherwell forward Sherwin Seedorf is unavailable for selection as he is suffering from a hamstring injury.

Defensive duo Stephen O'Donnell and Declan Gallagher, who helped Scotland qualify for Euro 2020 during the international break, are set to remain in Steve Robinson's back four.

Callum Lang and Tony Watt, both of whom scored in Motherwell's last away match against Livingston, will likely join Devante Cole in a three-man attack.

St Johnstone possible starting lineup: Clark; Kerr, Gordon, McCart; McNamara, McCann, Davidson, Tanser; Wotherspoon, Conway; May

Motherwell possible starting lineup: Chapman; O'Donnell, O'Hara, Gallagher, McGinley; Campbell, Maguire, Polworth; Lang, Watt, Cole

We say: St Johnstone 1-1 Motherwell

The last nine meetings have all seen a result for one team or the other, however with both performing well in recent weeks, St Johnstone and Motherwell may have to settle for just a point each in this weekend's meeting at McDiarmid Park.

Top betting tip