Regardless of the result neither team can alter its position in the table and the game could well have the air of a friendly. Following last week's defeat in Paisley Ian Baraclough made it clear that his priority would be the two-legged affair that would determine Motherwell's fate. Can we expect to see some of our fringe players offered a chance to impress or will the manager take the opportunity to rehearse his plans for the crucial games that follow? Our opponents will be known before Saturday's game kicks off.
The mood in the home dressing room was lifted by the news that the appeal of McDonald's red card was successful. It was reduced to "recklessly dangerous play" and a caution was imposed. We are far from a one man team but the loss of Skippy would have been a brutal blow.
The three previous fixtures between the teams have gone with home advantage. The most recent was in mid-April when almost 1,700 'Well fans suffered as Thistle cruised to a 2-0 win. Lawless will be missing from their squad following his ban for betting on football.
The Well Bois have organised another Food Bank collection and fans of both teams are encouraged to donate canned/packet food, basic toiletries and the like at the collection point at the Cooper Stand outside the Well Shop. Donations can be handed over from 1.45pm until kick-off.
Predicting a game with little at stake is a lottery but given that our season is not yet over we may be in the stronger position. 2-1 to Motherwell.
Remember the last time Thistle visited Fir Park?