Hibernian, aiming to end a miserable nine-game winless run, will travel to Fir Park on Saturday afternoon to face Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.
The hosts are fifth in the standings with 19 points from their 12 outings, while the visitors are bottom of the league with nine points after 14 games.
Match preview
![Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell during the Premier Sports Cup Group G match at Fir Park against Partick Thistle on 28/07/2024[on August 1, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/31/stuart-kettlewell.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell during the Premier Sports Cup Group G match at Fir Park against Partick Thistle on 28/07/2024[on August 1, 2024]")
© Imago
Motherwell have enjoyed a largely positive start to the 2024-25 season, though their recent inconsistent form may be a slight worry for Stuart Kettlewell.
Kettlewell's men won nine of their opening 13 fixtures across all competitions, losing three and drawing one in that time, but they have subsequently lost four and won just two of their last six.
Regardless of their recent results, they still sit encouragingly in fifth place in the Scottish Premiership, a significant improvement on their eighth-placed finish last season.
With at least one game in hand on the teams around them, except for third-placed Rangers who have also played 12 matches, Kettlewell will be hoping his side can capitalize on their extra fixture and secure a victory, with three points potentially lifting them into fourth place.
Motherwell will fancy their chances given they are playing bottom-of-the-league Hibernian, although they have only beaten Hibs once at home in the last eight meetings, four losses and three draws.
Hibs have endured a dismal beginning to the 2024-25 campaign, currently sitting bottom of the Scottish Premiership table with just nine points after 14 games, from one win, six draws and seven defeats.
They started the league season without a win in their first four before finally triumphing against St Johnstone on matchday five, but they have failed to win any of the nine matches since, losing five and drawing four.
David Gray's side may be lifted by a dramatic 3-3 draw against second-placed Aberdeen in their last match, where they twice equalised in stoppage time, scoring in the 92nd minute to make it 2-2, conceding in the 95th to go 3-2 down, and then levelling again in the 96th to secure the draw.
A victory here could also see them climb away from the bottom of the table, with 11th-placed Hearts only above them on goal difference, while Kilmarnock are just three points ahead in 10th.
Team News
![Hibernian Manager David Gray during the Premier Sports Cup Group C match at Easter Road, Edinburgh UK against Peterhead on July 27, 2024 [on August 2, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/31/david-gray.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Hibernian Manager David Gray during the Premier Sports Cup Group C match at Easter Road, Edinburgh UK against Peterhead on July 27, 2024 [on August 2, 2024]")
© Imago
The hosts are dealing with a number of injuries issues heading into this game, including Callum Slattery, Jack Vale, Paul McGinn, Ross Callachan, Sam Nicholson and Stephen O'Donnell.
A number of disappointing performances in the defeat to Ross County last time out could see Kettlewell make several changes to his side for this game, with Tawanda Maswanhise likely to start.
As for the visitors, Kieron Bowie is anticipated to be the only absentee for Gray to contend with, and following the 3-3 draw with Aberdeen, the manager could name the same team here.
Gray replaced under-fire goalkeeper Josef Bursik with Jordan Smith in that game, and after an underwhelming performance from Smith, Bursik could come back into the team for this one.
Motherwell possible starting lineup:
Oxborough; Casey, Balmer, Seddon; Kaleta, Gordon, Miller, Wilson; Ebiye, Stamatelopoulos, Maswanhise
Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Bursik; O'Hora, Kiranga, Iredale; Miller, Triantis, Newell, Cadden; Hoilett; Kukharevych, Youan
We say: Motherwell 1-1 Hibernian
Although Hibernian sit at the bottom of the table heading into this match, their improved performances in recent weeks, particularly the recent draw with Aberdeen, should boost their confidence, and we expect that momentum to help them secure another draw here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
