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Motherwell logo
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 29
Mar 2, 2022 at 7.45pm UK
Fir Park Stadium
Ross County

Motherwell
0 - 1
Ross County

FT(HT: 0-1)
Hungbo (15' pen.)
Paton (48')

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

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

Still searching for their first Scottish Premiership win of 2022, Motherwell play host to Ross County at Fir Park on Wednesday night.

Both teams have scored in each of the last four league meetings between the Steelmen and the Staggies, with each side winning twice during this period.


Match preview

Graham Alexander, now in charge of Motherwell, pictured in September 2020© Reuters

Motherwell were seemingly on course to lose against Rangers last weekend, when they went into the break 2-0 down; however, Graham Alexander's men came out fighting in the second half, with strikes from Jordan Roberts and Kaiyne Woolery securing a point against the champions at Ibrox.

Alexander will have been impressed with his side's comeback, but they have now failed to win any of their last eight Premiership fixtures, losing and drawing four games each.

The Steelmen were positioned in the top four before the winter break began in mid-December, but despite their slump in form, they are currently sitting in sixth place on goal difference, level on points with Hibernian in fourth and Dundee United in fifth.

Motherwell now turn their attention to Wednesday's game against Ross County, a side who they have already beaten on home soil this season, with Tony Watt netting in the 80th minute to secure a 2-1 win in September.

Victory in midweek for Motherwell would be their first in 2022 as well as their first at Fir Park in three games.

Malky Mackay pictured in November 2017© Reuters

Ross County bounced back from a 2-0 defeat against Hibs in Edinburgh with a 3-1 home victory over relegation candidates St Johnstone last weekend.

Callum Hendry gave the visitors the lead in the 24th minute; however, goals either side of half time from in-form winger Regan Charles-Cook turned the game on its head before Joseph Hungbo added a third for the Staggies in the 66th minute to seal all three points.

Malky Mackay's men have moved seven points clear of St Johnstone in the relegation playoff position and nine clear of basement club Dundee, though the latter do have a game in hand.

Ross County have lost four of their last five away games in all competitions, but securing maximum points on Wednesday would see them claim back-to-back victories against Motherwell for the first time since January 2016, as well as help steer them further away from the drop zone.

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • D

Motherwell form (all competitions):
  • D
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • D

Ross County Scottish Premiership form:
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • W

Ross County form (all competitions):
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • W


Team News

Celtic's Liel Abada in action with Motherwell's Nathan McGinley on February 6, 2022© Reuters

Motherwell's only injury concern is with midfielder Barry Maguire, who remains sidelined with a muscle problem.

Alexander may decide to make a couple of changes to his starting lineup, with Roberts potentially handed a recall at the expense of either Woolery or Ross Tierney and Kevin van Veen returning up front ahead of Joe Efford.

As for Ross County, Blair Spittal and David Cancola are both doubtful and will be assessed ahead of kickoff, as will January signing Josh Sims who is yet to make his debut for the club due to fitness issues.

Winger Charles-Cook, who has scored three goals in two league games against Motherwell this season, is set to keep his place on the right flank, with Hungbo to operate on the opposite wing.

Striker Jordan White has scored only one goal in his last eight appearances, but has provided four assists during this period and is expected to continue as the lone striker, starting ahead of Dominic Samuel and Alex Samuel.

Motherwell possible starting lineup:
Kelly; O'Donnell, Mugabi, Lamie, Carroll; Cornelius, O'Hara, Donnelly; Roberts, Van Veen, Tierney

Ross County possible starting lineup:
Laidlaw; Randall, Baldwin, Iacovitti, Vokins; H. Paton, Tillson; Charles-Cook, Callachan, Hungbo; White


SM words green background

We say: Motherwell 2-1 Ross County

Motherwell have struggled in recent weeks in the Premiership but they will be confident of ending their winless start to 2022 on Wednesday.

Ross County are likely to cause problems for the hosts but we expect Alexander's men to secure a narrow victory by the same scoreline as they did back in September.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 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.Under 3.5:data



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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Motherwell win with a probability of 42.06%. A win for Ross County had a probability of 30.03% and a draw had a probability of 27.9%.

The most likely scoreline for a Motherwell win was 1-0 with a probability of 12.55%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (8.4%) and 2-0 (8.07%). The likeliest Ross County win was 0-1 (10.16%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (13.06%). The actual scoreline of 0-1 was predicted with a 10.2% likelihood.


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Game History

How you voted: Motherwell vs Ross County

Motherwell
66.7%
Draw
19.0%
Ross County
14.3%
21
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Celtic's Liel Abada in action with Motherwell's Nathan McGinley on February 6, 2022
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1110103132831
2Aberdeen11101024101431
3RangersRangers11713168822
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd125431813519
5Motherwell116141514119
6St Mirren134361722-515
7Dundee123361824-612
8Kilmarnock123361525-1012
9Ross County132651021-1112
10St Johnstone133191627-1110
11Hearts132381420-69
12Hibernian121561118-78


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