Ross County host Motherwell at the Global Energy Stadium on Saturday, aiming to end their three-game winless run in the Scottish Premiership.
Meanwhile, Motherwell will look to bolster their bid for European football and could climb into fourth place if other results go their way.
Match preview
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Don Cowie's side have endured a barren spell in front of goal in recent weeks, with no goals scored in their last three games.
Despite their struggles in front of goal, Ross County were able to secure two points from goalless draws with Hibernian and St Mirren in those games.
However, last time out, they suffered a 3-0 defeat against Dundee United at Tannadice Park, to leave them just three points above the drop zone and ninth in the standings.
This position is familiar territory for the hosts, who have finished either 10th or 11th in four of the five seasons since being promoted from the Scottish Championship in 2019.
Having escaped relegation via a playoff in the past two seasons, County would like to avoid a similar fate this year – key to which may be their form at home, where they have collected nine of their 12 points to date.
![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]")
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Meanwhile, the visitors are on the up, as they hope to improve on their ninth-place finish from last season and push for a return to European football next season.
Motherwell were in the Europa Conference League qualifiers as recently as 2022, but a defeat to Irish side Sligo Rovers brought an early end to their European dreams.
Since then, Stuart Kettlewell's team have not been able to get back into Europe, but with six wins from their opening 11 games this season, they are putting forward their case for next season.
One of the reasons behind their success is a strong away record, which is third to only Celtic and Aberdeen in the division – the visitors have three wins from their five away games so far this campaign.
Their most recent away game was at the end of October against Dundee United, where a brace from Zimbabwe international Tawanda Maswanhise secured an important win for the Well.
Another away win this weekend would certainly lay down a marker for the fixtures ahead - with their next three games all against teams in the bottom half of the table, they will look to build confidence heading into December's clashes against high-flying Dundee United, Celtic and Rangers.
Team News
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The hosts will be without Will Nightingale for the foreseeable future, as the defender is sidelined until at least next month after having knee surgery in October.
Midfielders George Harmon and Max Sheaf are also set to miss this match, though both are expected to return to action by the end of the month.
Meanwhile, Motherwell have a longer injury list, with midfielders Ross Callachan (hamstring), Sam Nicholson (knee) and Callum Slattery (knee) all out.
In further bad news for the visitors, Paul McGinn is doubtful due to a thigh injury, while Jack Vale is out until December with a calf problem.
Ross County possible starting lineup:
Laidlaw; Campbell, Leak, Lopata, Wright, Brown; Randall, Nisbet, Denholm; White, Hale
Motherwell possible starting lineup:
Oxborough; Wilson, Seddon, Casey, Balmer, Kaleta; Miller, Halliday, Maswanhise; Sparrow, Stamatelopoulos
We say: Ross County 0-1 Motherwell
Ross County's scoring troubles are likely to persist for at least another week here, and we expect Motherwell to edge a tight contest.
The visitors are going strong in the Scottish Premiership, particularly on their travels, so we are predicting a 1-0 win for Motherwell.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Tom Humphrey
