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St Johnstone are our opponents for the second weekend running, as they visit Fir Park in the Betfred Cup last 16.

If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game is available to buy on a pay-per-view basis for £12.

International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Kick-off on Saturday at Fir Park is at 3pm.

Tale of the tape

Saturday’s 1-1 draw at McDiarmid Park saw Motherwell take the lead through Mark O’Hara, before Stevie May’s penalty ensured a share of the spoils.

Earlier in the season, Allan Campbell’s early goal gave the Steelmen all three points in a 1-0 victory at Fir Park.

Motherwell have won the last three encounters between the two sides in ML1, with Saints’ last victory coming courtesy of a stoppage-time Jason Kerr winner in October 2018.

Form guide

You have to go back to 22 August to find the last time the Steelmen lost domestically to a team outside of Celtic and Rangers.

Hamilton’s victory that day was the precursor to wins over St Johnstone, Aberdeen, Ross County and Livingston, and then the weekend draw at McDiarmid Park.

St Johnstone suffered a slew of defeats at the start of the season but have since recovered to go on an eight-game unbeaten run in league and cup competitions.

Watch live

If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game is available to buy on a pay-per-view basis for £12. This game is not available on the season ticket.

International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Motherwell were edged out 2-0 at home in their SWPL1 encounter with Spartans on Sunday.

Goals from Kat Smart and Louise Mason in either half ensured defeat for Eddie Wolecki Black’s side, who had to contend with the loss of goalkeeper Ailey Tebbett early on in the match.

The first came with 18 minutes on the clock. Smart’s drive into the box led to a shot which took a deflection on the way through but found the net.

Both sides had chances before the break but it would be the visitors who would take the next important one with an hour gone.

Clelland’s run down the left saw her cross find Mason to steer the ball home, consigning the women of steel to defeat.

Motherwell: Tebbett (Ramsay), Connor, C Watson, Baillie, Adams, Crooks, Sinclair, Rice, Callaghan, K Watson, Gardner.

Subs: Hay, Reside, Roberts, Swanson, McDonald-Nguah, Skelton.

“There will be better performances than that. But we’ll take a point.”

Stephen Robinson reacts to the point gained in Perth.

Motherwell returned from the break with a well-earned point away at St Johnstone.

Mark O’Hara’s goal from a flowing team move was cancelled out in the first half by Stevie May’s penalty.

The enforced absence of Allan Campbell and Barry Maguire saw Bevis Mugabi return at central defence, with Robbie Crawford making his first start alongside O’Hara and Liam Polworth in midfield.

The hosts dominated the bulk of the earlier possession, looking to craft opportunities down the flanks.

But it would be Motherwell who would take the lead. With 17 minutes played, Stephen O’Donnell set off down the right hand side.

Moving the ball infield, combination play between O’Hara, Watt and then Polworth saw the latter’s shot ricochet up into the path of the onrushing O’Hara, who powered home his shot from just inside the area.

The goal settled the Steelmen as the game settled into a more even affair. But they would be pegged back with 10 minutes left in the half.

Bursting into the box, May went down under the attentions of Bevis Mugabi. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, with May stepping up to take the kick.

Chapman went the right way at the penalty but the ferocity of the shot saw it bulge the net and bring the Saints level.

Wotherspoon saw a shot blocked by Cole and O’Hara saw a header drop wide as both sides traded half chances as the half wore on, but they would go in level at the break.

An even start to the second half saw both sides trading possession, but chances were few and far between.

Chapman dealt with efforts from May and Bryson, while Christopher Long made a short-lived sub appearance for 15 minutes, before being forced off injured.

Both sides pressed on in the latter stages but a draw was a fair reflection.

Motherwell: Chapman, O’Donnell, Mugabi, Gallagher, McGinley, Crawford, O’Hara, Polworth, Cole (Long 62, Lamie 77), Lang (White 87), Watt.

Subs not used: Archer, Grimshaw, Devine, Cornelius, Hastie, Seedorf.

Allan Campbell and Barry Maguire are required to miss our match with St Johnstone due to Covid-19 protocols.

We were informed shortly after 11am on Saturday morning by the Scottish FA that the pair are required to self-isolate, as a result of three members of the Scotland Under 21 squad testing positive for the virus.

Both Allan and Barry tested negative when they were tested by Motherwell FC on their return to Fir Park on Wednesday.

However, the Scottish FA have informed us that due to the seating arrangements on flights and buses in Greece, our players are required to isolate under trace and protect procedures.

We were first notified of the potential need to exclude Allan and Barry at 9:30pm on Friday night. They will now be obliged to isolate for 14 days.

As a result of what has happened, we will write to the Scottish FA on a number of points on which we believe urgent answers are required.

“We’ve used the time wisely. Hopefully it shows on Saturday.”

Stephen Robinson previews the trip to face St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.

“The games are going to come thick and fast now. We will be prepared and ready to go.”

Allan Campbell previews Saturday’s return to action away to St Johnstone.

There’s various ways to watch St Johnstone v Motherwell on Saturday.

If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game is available to buy on a pay-per-view basis from St Johnstone, priced at £17.50.

International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Motherwell return to action on Saturday with a trip to face St Johnstone in Perth.

Here’s the storylines going into the match.

The start of a long journey

The 2020/21 season has been broken up by international breaks so far, but it’s about to embark on a long run of matches which will take us through to the next stoppage in March.

With no winter break, Motherwell now have a minimum of 19 games before the next interruption. That starts at McDiarmid Park on Saturday.

Internationals back with a spring in their step

Declan Gallagher and Stephen O’Donnell have become history makers since the last time they pulled on claret and amber.

Starting Scotland’s UEFA Euro 2020 play-off final in Serbia, they performed outstandingly to be part of the team which ended the national side’s 23-year wait to be at a major final.

Familiar foes

Saturday’s game marks a double header between the two sides.

St Johnstone play host on Saturday in the league, before travelling down to ML1 in the Betfred Cup last 16 a week later.

Mixed fortunes at McDiarmid

The fixture has seen mixed fortunes for both teams when the game is contested at McDiarmid Park.

The Saints were 90th minute 2-1 winners last time we met back in February. Before that, Motherwell won two, drew one and lost one in Perth.

After victory against Hearts at the weekend, Motherwell look to make it two wins from two when they host Spartans in SWPL1.

Kick-off on Sunday 22 November at the Penny Cars Stadium in Airdrie is at 12.30pm.

A live stream of the match can be purchased for £5 by clicking here.

The game is closed to supporters.

Tale of the tape

The last two encounters between Motherwell and Spartans have been tight affairs, with both ending in draws.

A 2-2 score came in their last encounter back in October 2019 at Ainslie Park, two months after a 0-0 home draw for Motherwell.

Prior to that, Spartans won the opening two games of 2019, while Motherwell won the first-ever encounter between the pair in a 3-1 Scottish Cup semi-final victory at Forthbank in 2018.

Form guide

The win in Edinburgh ended a run of three defeats for the women of steel. An opening day 4-2 loss at Forfar Farmington was followed by home defeats to Hibernian and Glasgow City.

Spartans also sit on three points from four games but with a six-goal better goal difference.

An opening day 2-1 defeat to Hibernian came before 1-0 losses to Celtic and Rangers. A 1-0 home win against Forfar Farmington came last weekend.

Positive signs after first win

“The players showed what they’re capable of winning so convincingly at Hearts,” manager Eddie Wolecki Black said.

“When we were put under pressure, we dealt with the challenge, and we took our chances when they came.

“We are level on points with Spartans, so it’s another opportunity for us.”

match programme