Motherwell will play host to Ross County this weekend in the Scottish Premiership at Fir Park. Can the visitors stop the home side from going six games unbeaten?
After losing their opening day fixture of the Scottish Premiership, Motherwell have seemed to gotten back on track. They currently stand fourth on the Scottish Premiership table with eleven points from their opening six fixtures, unbeaten in last five. Motherwell held on to a 1-1 draw in their previous fixture against table leaders Rangers, despite a strong attacking display from the home side. Manager Graham Alexander claimed post-match that his side wanted a win, but was delighted with their performance, regardless. He does not have any fitness concern and will have healthy squad to choose from.
The home side’s xG and xG per 90 puts them in the sixth spot, while their opponents are near the bottom at tenth spot. The two teams are separated by only a narrow margin in terms of clearances and clearances per 90.
Predicted eleven- Manager Graham Alexander is most likely to choose a similar 4-3-3 formation to his side’s draw against the Rangers. Watt leading the attack flanked by Woolery and Veen. The three man midfield comprised of Grimshaw, Slattery and O’Hara. Goalkeeper Kelly between the sticks shielded by Johansen and Ojala in the centre back positions. McGinley and O’Donnell could be chosen for the fullback role.
Ross County currently sit near the bottom of the table at eleventh spot and are yet to win a game this season. They have three draws and three loses from their opening six matches. In their previous game in the Scottish Premiership, they drew 2-2 with Hearts. Ross County managed 38% possession and eight shots at goal with four of them on target. Blair Spittal was the only player in the scoring chart for Ross County. While their opponents Hearts had seventeen shots at goal with five of them on target. Ross County have been defensively poor this season and have already conceded thirteen goals. In their previous ten encounters, Motherwell have won five and Ross County four, with one draw. Manager Malky Mackay has just one fitness concern, Jake Vokins is set to miss out.
The away side’s clearances and clearances per 90 reflect that they have to do a lot of defending this season. So far they have struggled to create any xT or attacking zones which lead them to play more defensively.
Predicted Eleven-
In the recent fixture against Hearts, Manager Malky Mackay switched to a back three 3-4-1-2 formation. He is likely to continue using this formation. Goalkeeper Maynard-Brewer protected by defenders, Baldwin, Lacovitti and Paton. The two wing back position will be occupied by Burroughs and Ben Paton. The midfield will be comprised of Tilson and Spittal. White and Charles-Cook leading the attack with support from Callachan.
The home side’s unbeaten streak means that they are the likely to come out on top. Ross County are in poor form and are unlikely to trouble Motherwell. The home side should win this by a two goal margin.
