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Motherwell logo
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 30
Mar 16, 2024 at 3pm UK
Fir Park
Aberdeen logo

Motherwell
0 - 1
Aberdeen


Kettlewell (2'), O'Donnell (85')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Clarkson (25')
Hoilett (1'), Roos (90+2')

Preview: Motherwell vs. Aberdeen - prediction, team news, lineups

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

Aberdeen's interim manager Peter Leven will continue to search for his first victory in temporary charge of the club when the Dons travel to face Motherwell on Saturday.

However, they will face stern competition as the hosts head into this weekend on the back of consecutive victories.


Match preview

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

Motherwell currently sit eighth in the table after a season of inconsistencies, and that is something that the club is looking to change heading into the next section of the campaign.

The Steelmen have showcased their ability to change that with consecutive victories heading into this weekend against teams at opposing ends of the table.

Motherwell comfortably defeated bottom-placed Livingston 3-1, and they then followed it up with a very impressive 2-1 win against the current league leaders in their most recent outing.

Theo Bair had given them the lead against Rangers until a James Tavernier penalty restored parity for the hosts, but Dan Casey ended up getting a 75th-minute winner for the Steelmen.

Another victory this weekend could see them overtake Hibernian in the league table should the Hibees slip up, giving them plenty of incentive heading into Saturday.

Aberdeen's Bojan Miovski celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on February 6, 2024© Reuters

It has been a season to forget for Aberdeen so far, with things seemingly going from bad to worse as the campaign has progressed which has left the club in a major relegation battle.

Neil Warnock's time in charge drew to a close before the Dons faced Dundee, which left Peter Leven in charge as the interim manager, and the pressure is firmly on him until a full-time replacement is brought in.

Considering Aberdeen are just three points above the relegation playoff position right now there is very little margin for error with each game, and that is something they will be wary of heading into Saturday.

The Dons showcased a much stronger performance in midweek against Dundee, when only a 66th-minute penalty stopped them from taking at least a point.

However, it was Aberdeen's fifth straight defeat in away games, which is a run of form they need to change immediately to try and push away from the bottom two places in the table.

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:


Motherwell form (all competitions):


Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form:


Aberdeen form (all competitions):



Team News

Aberdeen's Slobodan Rubezic pictured in September 2023© Reuters

Slobodan Rubezic remains an injury problem for the visitors due to a knee issue, and he will not be available for selection until next month at the earliest.

James McGarry and Ryan Duncan were brought back to the bench by Leven, and both men could be pushing for further opportunities this weekend.

The visitors have had a lengthy break since their last game which took place on March 2, which should allow them to bring a squad with plenty of fitness which could be an advantage.

The Steelmen do have several injuries to contend with, though, as Callum Slattery, Harry Paton and Andrew Halliday have all been unavailable as late.


Motherwell possible starting lineup:
Kelly; Mugabi, Casey, McGinn; O'Donnell, Zdravkovski, Miller, Devine; Nicholson, Spittal; Bair

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Roos; Devlin, Gartenmann, Jensen, MacKenzie; Barron, Shinnie, Hoilett, McGrath, Sokler; Miovski



SM words green background

We say: Motherwell 2-0 Aberdeen

Aberdeen might be trying their hardest to try and turn the season around and avoid relegation, but this fixture is likely not going to be the one where points start coming.

Motherwell should have too much power and quality for the Dons to handle, particularly with the lack of confidence the away side boasts.



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




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Written by
Matthew Wilkinson

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Game History

How you voted: Motherwell vs Aberdeen

Motherwell
72.2%
Draw
11.1%
Aberdeen
16.7%
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1514104444043
2Aberdeen16104230181234
3RangersRangers1510232791832
4Motherwell168172226-425
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd166642519624
6St Mirren176382228-621
7Dundee165472729-219
8Kilmarnock174581834-1617
9Hibernian173682129-815
10Ross County173681333-2015
11St Johnstone1742112032-1214
12Hearts1734101826-813


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