Dundee United provide the opposition at Fir Park on Saturday in a match that tests fourth and fifth in the league table.
The visitors arrive without a defeat in their last five outings. Their last loss came when Tawanda Maswanhise lit up Tannadice with his match winning brace.
Sam Dalby is the man in form for United. He is on loan from Wrexham and has scored half a dozen since the middle of October. He won the SPFL player of the month award for November and was in last week’s team of the week. The ‘Well defence will have to cope with the 6’3” Englishman.
While there is no doubt that Jim Goodwin’s side are enjoying a good run of form the manager will know that Motherwell have been the victors in the two earlier meetings. First was the 2-1 League Cup win at Fir Park that had Zach Robinson and Lennon Miller on the score sheet and the second was Maswanise’s show in Dundee.
Spirits in the home camp were boosted by Tony Watt’s decisive header to close the game in Paisley. Those three points put an end to the three game dip and moved the ‘Well within striking distance of United. On-loan Watt will not be permitted to face his parent club.
The long awaited return to action of Sam Nicholson brought a welcome reduction to Motherwell’s ever present injury list. Stephen O’Donnell’s inclusion in Saturday’s squad will be a comfort as the busy December schedule continues.
A close match seems likely and Motherwell may have to be content with a point from only their second draw of the campaign, 1-1.