A quick glance at the form guide suggests that this will be a meeting of two poor outfits. Motherwell have lost five of the last six and Dundee have lost six from seven - a record fit for a relegation dogfight. Nevertheless, most observers would stake their last fiver on a home win.
Everyone has sympathy for the burden placed on Club 12 as it was thrust into the SPL with little time to plan and prepare and their early season form seems to reinforce the expectation that they would be prime candidates for bottom spot. They have yet to score two goals in any game this season and are somewhat detached at the bottom, seven points adrift of St Mirren. Last week's win against Hearts caused a minor shock and will give them some hope and the paper talk in Dundee this week is all about the task of clawing their way up the table.
Motherwell v Dundee November 2004
Motherwell made plenty of chances against United on Wednesday and hardly deserved to take nothing from the game. Ojamaa hit the woodwork twice and he, Murphy, Higdon and Humphrey had other opportunities to break our duck. McCall said, "Disappointed with the result but certainly not the performance. I was pleased with the football we played". It's hard to believe that we will fail to find the net this weekend.
Hutchinson and Kerr missed out again in midweek but one or other may be available for this weekend as their hamstring and calf injuries mend but the manager seems happy with the efforts of the eleven who have kicked off in the last two games and an unchanged team may emerge from the tunnel on Saturday.
We made lots of chances in Perth and several more on Wednesday. While that pattern continues we must have a decent chance of winning. Let's hope we see the fruits of our labours and celebrate a 2-1 win.
Remember the last time Dundee were at Fir Park on league business?