| 6 | Dundee | 31 | 10 | 9 | 12 | -10 | 39 |
| 7 | Hibernian | 32 | 9 | 11 | 12 | -7 | 38 |
| 8 | Motherwell | 32 | 8 | 12 | 12 | -5 | 36 |
| 9 | Aberdeen | 32 | 8 | 10 | 14 | -5 | 34 |
| 10 | St Johnstone | 32 | 7 | 10 | 15 | -20 | 31 |
There’s Boxing Day action in the Scottish Premiership as Motherwell head to Dundee United.
If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game will be available to buy on a pay-per-view basis from Dundee United for £12.50.
International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.
Kick-off at Tannadice is at 3pm.
A Boxing Day trip to Tannadice lies in wait for Motherwell.
Here are the storylines going into the match.
It has been almost five years since the Steelmen paid a visit to take on the Terrors.
You have to go back to February 2016 for the last trip to Tannadice, when a Scott McDonald double and further strike from Stephen McManus secured a 3-0 league victory.
United occupy fifth spot going into Saturday’s match, which could bring a place in the new UEFA Conference League depending on other factors come the end of the campaign.
The race for that, and a top six finish, is very tightly contested. Only five points separate the Steelmen and sixth placed Livingston, showing the congested nature of the pack.
Domestically in 2020/21, Motherwell have had more joy on their travels than at Fir Park.
Excluding trips to Celtic and Rangers, the only defeat on the road for Stephen Robinson’s men came on the opening day in Dingwall.
Since then, draws at Hibernian and St Johnstone have come with wins over Aberdeen and Livingston.
A Boxing Day trip to Dundee United lies in wait next for Motherwell.
It’s fifth versus sixth in the Scottish Premiership, as both sides vie to claim the spot which could well yield a European spot at the end of the campaign.
Kick-off at Tannadice is at 3pm.
If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game will be available to buy on a pay-per-view basis from Dundee United for £12.50.
International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.
A 1-0 victory for Dundee United earlier in the campaign was the first encounter between the two sides in four years.
Prior to that, Motherwell won 3-0 on their last trip to Tannadice in February 2016, with a Scott McDonald double and further strike from Stephen McManus securing a 3-0 victory.
Dundee United leapfrogged Motherwell into fifth spot with a 2-0 win at home to Kilmarnock on Wednesday night, while Motherwell were drawing 0-0 at home with Aberdeen.
The Terrors have won three of their last five home matches, beating Ross County, Hamilton and Kilmarnock, while drawing with Aberdeen and losing narrowly to Rangers.
Motherwell’s draw with Aberdeen ended a run of four straight defeats.
On their travels in the league in 2020/21, the Steelmen have won four, drawn two and lost three.
“The hunger and determination were there in abundance tonight. There are a lot of positives to take.”
Keith Lasley reacts to the 0-0 draw with Aberdeen at Fir Park.
Motherwell ended their losing run with a hard-fought point against an equally competitive Aberdeen.
In a game of few chances, Derek McInnes’ men had the better of the opening 25 minutes and might have been ahead.
However, having weathered that spell, the Steelmen finished the stronger side, passing up a couple of chances in the final 15 minutes.
But over the piece both teams, especially on their defensive performances were worthy of a point.
Stephen Robinson tweaked his line-up from the one which fell to three late goals at Ibrox. Liam Polworth started in midfield and with Bevis Mugabi consigned to the bench, Mark O’Hara dropped back to form a three-man central defence with Declan Gallagher and Ricki Lamie.
Curtis Main returned to Fir Park in Aberdeen colours. And within three minutes the former ‘Well striker had slipped his marked to force the ball into the side netting.
In a brisk opening from the Dons, Ross McCrorie’s 20 yard drive was diverted wide of goal.
‘Well’s response was a great Tony Watt run which won a corner but Polworth’s delivery found no takers.
On-loan Rangers’ midfielder McCrorie came close to the opening goal after 13 minutes when he got his head to Ryan Hedges’ corner but the ball rebound from the face of the crossbar.
There was a bit of a concern when Jordan Archer signalled to the bench to allow Aaron Chapman to warm up. However, after a series of stretching exercises, the ‘Well ‘keeper looked fit to continue.
With Motherwell being pressed into their own half Aberdeen had another great chance after 22 minutes when Main won a free kick a couple of yards outside the box. A clever set-piece allowed Johny Hayes to rifle a low shot beyond the wall but Archer, showing no signs of restrictions in his movements, threw himself to his right to make a terrific one-handed save.
After being on the back foot for most of the half, the Dons’ goal came under some threat in the ten minutes leading up to the interval. A series of corners caused some concern in the visitor’s box before Callum Lang was tripped 25 yards in front of goal. O’Hara curled his free kick over the defensive wall but Joe Lewis was waiting in the middle of his goal to make a comfortable save.
Three minutes from the break from a similar distance to the right of goal Polworth was left in charge of the free kick. His floated ball into a packed box found Watt but his nod on was swept clear by an Aberdeen defence at last put under some pressure.
The Dons kicked off the second half with top scorer Sam Cosgrove joining Main in the visitors’ attack.
The first threat on goal, though, came at the other end. Liam Grimshaw’s clever throw-in found Polworth racing into space at the corner of the box but his dipping volley towards goal was blocked by a Dons defender.
Lang and Watt were working extremely hard to occupy the Dons defence but as the half progressed most of the play was again in the Motherwell half of the pitch.
With 68 minutes played Robinson gave Lang a well-earned rest, bringing on Devante Cole to play through the centre of the home attack.
And the ‘Well sub was involved in his side’s best move after 75 minutes. Stephen O’Donnell played the ball to Watt, who let Cole race to the byeline before cutting the ball back just a couple of yards in front of the inrushing Polworth.
Three minutes later the Motherwell midfielder had a great opportunity to fire home the winner. Once again it was terrific play from Watt who dragged the ball into the box before rolling the ball in front of Polworth and his side-footed drive had the beating of Lewis until Taylor outstretched leg diverted the ball away from goal.
Watt’s final play was along the byeline before his firm drive was blocked by Lewis in front of his post, with the grounded ‘keeper relieved to see the loose ball rebound from Taylor and back into his arms.
In the final minute, Cole raced upfield and was eventually felled at the second time of asking and gain Motherwell a free kick. With Watt running out of energy, Jordan White came on to add his height to a packed box but Polworth’s free kick failed to clear the first defender leaving Motherwell to settle for a point.
A live stream of Wednesday night’s encounter between Motherwell and Aberdeen is available worldwide.
If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game will be 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 at Fir Park is at 6.15pm.
“We will keep doing what we are doing and keep believing. We’ve no doubt at all we will turn it around.”
The manager looks ahead to the clash with the Dons on Wednesday night.
“It’s an opportunity for us to get some positive results and points back on the board.”
Mark O’Hara previews Wednesday’s visit of Aberdeen.
Motherwell host Aberdeen on Wednesday night in the run to the end of 2020.
These are the storylines ahead of the Scottish Premiership match.
Motherwell have one home win in their last five and are currently on a streak of four straight home losses at Fir Park.
Making home a tough place to come for the opposition is high up the agenda, with two home victories in the league in 2020/21 recorded compared to four away.
Aberdeen’s weekend win over Kilmarnock pulled them level on points with second-placed Celtic in the Premiership, albeit with a worse goal difference and having played two more games.
That also left Motherwell sitting 13 points behind the Dons in the league, meaning there’s sizable ground to make up for the fifth-placed Steelmen to emulate last season’s third spot finish.
Motherwell have won the last two encounters between the two sides, picking up 3-0 and 1-0 away victories at Pittodrie.
Last time at Fir Park, Aberdeen were convincing 3-0 winners. Indeed, you have to go back to April 2019 for the last time the home team won this fixture – a 3-1 victory for the Dons.
A live stream of Wednesday night’s encounter between Motherwell and Aberdeen is available worldwide.
If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game will be 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 at Fir Park is at 6.15pm.
Aberdeen come calling on Wednesday night to ML1.
If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game will be 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 Wednesday at Fir Park is at 6.15pm.
Motherwell were victorious in the first meeting between the two sides this season, running out 3-0 winners at Pittodrie.
Goals from Mark O’Hara, Christopher Long and Bevis Mugabi saw Stephen Robinson’s men come back down the road with the three points in late September.
In 2019/20, the Steelmen also won the last encounter between the pair 1-0 away from home. Before that, Aberdeen won 3-0 at Fir Park.
Aberdeen’s 2-0 win at Kilmarnock on Sunday made for back-to-back wins for the Dons for the last time since early October.
Their last 10 matches have brought four wins, three draws and three defeats for the side sitting in third.
Motherwell are without a win in six, having drawn with St Johnstone away and lost to Celtic, Rangers, St Johnstone, Hibernian and St Mirren.
At home, four defeats in a row mean the last win at Fir Park came in the 4-0 thrashing of Ross County in late October.
If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game will be 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.
