Whether any winner will emerge is unclear if recent clashes in Hamilton are used as a guide. The last three meetings between these Lanarkshire rivals have resulted the referee's whistle closing 90 minutes' play with the score 0-0. This could well be a classic 'first goal the winner'.
Given the Accies tendency to drop to the lower division from time to time Motherwell have not played a league game at NDP since the New Year game in 2011 – the first with McCall in the dugout.
Forbes' penalty was saved in this 2-2 from 2009
Under the charge of Ian Baraclough Motherwell have ended the downward spiral and seven points have been taken from our rivals at the bottom end of the table in the last three games. That boost has lifted our sights and we might draw level with Partick Thistle on Thursday evening if results continue to go our way.
A solid defensive display on Saturday, aided by the return of Hammell at left back, delivered a second clean sheet in successive games. In attack, Sutton has now scored three in three and Ainsworth, Ojamaa and the rest seem to have discovered the knack of supplying him.
Few visiting teams feel comfortable on the artificial surface at New Douglas Park and it has become common practice to be protective of any player not fully fit. Whether such caution is needed in our case remains to be seen.
Accies started the season with a blistering run of five wins from the opening six. They knocked us out of the League Cup then destroyed us (4-0) at Fir Park. Their form has varied since then but with Andreu and Antoine-Curier providing a steady supply of goals they now hold fourth spot in the table.
The home team are odds on to win this match but 7/1 can be had on the 1-1 draw. That might be worth a punt!
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