Motherwell face Hibs at Fir Park on Saturday as the SPFL Premiership reaches round four. With an international break to follow the teams will be keen to secure the win that will ensure a smile for the next fortnight.
Hibs conceded a late goal at Easter Road last week to complete a win, lose, draw opening trio. Motherwell started draw, lose, win and the pair now sit side by side on four points.
The Leith side are undergoing a remodelling as Paul Heckingbottom sets his mark. Scott Allan, now in his third spell with the club, is central to the manager’s plans although recent outings have shown little consistency in team selection. They still have Florian Kamberi leading their attack and he has scored five already this season. Keeping him well marshalled will require concentration for ninety minutes.
Saturday’s visitors have not had their troubles to seek as far as injuries are concerned. Their captain, David Gray, hobbled from the pitch after an hour against St Johnstone and, according to the Edinburgh News he will miss out along with Tom James and Darren McGregor.
Stephen Robinson will hope that Richard Tait and Jake Carroll are free of the bug that made them unavailable for last week’s trip to Hamilton. The makeshift back line did well but with the added bonus of Peter Hartley’s presence prompting the opening goal the manager will have a difficult decision ahead.
Chris Long had his best game in claret and amber and he will likely be the preferred front man. James Scott also showed form and might again rate a place in the starting eleven ahead of Jermaine Hylton.
The Fir Park crowd have not yet seen a league win in this new season but if we can start with the right attitude then we could enjoy a 2-0 victory.