Motherwell host Inverness Caley Thistle in the final game in the Ladbrokes Premiership before the split.
And with four points separating the Steelmen in eleventh from the Caley Jags at the foot of the table, it sets up a crucial encounter at Fir Park on Saturday afternoon.
It is the third meeting between the two sides this campaign following Motherwell’s 2-1 victory up north just after Christmas and the 3-0 defeat in Lanarkshire back in October.
And ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson is under no illusions that this Saturday’s clash with Inverness is a “huge” fixture for his side.
But the manager insisted his side are not going to panic going in to some crucial matches, starting tomorrow afternoon.
Fir Park gaffer said: “It’s a huge game. We can put a little bit of distance between ourselves and Inverness and we could also move to eighth in the table.”
[pullquote]It’s a huge game. We can put a little bit of distance between ourselves and Inverness and we could also move to eighth in the table.[/pullquote]
He added: “Psychologically for the players, the fans and for everyone around this football club – that can be massive.
“So we’ve not under-egged this game at all. We’ve told the boys how important it is and they know that, but we have calmness about us as well, we’re not going to panic.”
The manager will be without Stephen McManus through injury, while Richard Tait and Louis Moult will again face late fitness tests ahead of the game.
‘Well defender Ben Heneghan is prepared for a “massive” clash with Inverness Caley Thistle tomorrow afternoon.
And as the Steelmen head in to the last match before the split, the Englishman admitted that he feels him and his team are due some luck.
Speaking to the press yesterday, the 23-year-old reflected on an unfortunate run as he looked ahead to the weekend.
Ben said: “Saturday is massive. We’re not where we want to be in the league but I think we’re more than capable of pushing on and putting a string of results together.
[pullquote]Saturday is massive. We’re not where we want to be in the league but I think we’re more than capable of pushing on and putting a string of results together.[/pullquote]
“We need to get some points on the board now because in the last few weeks we haven’t had a lot of luck.”
He added: “In the Rangers game the keeper put on one of the best displays of goalkeeping I’ve seen.
“The save the other day at Partick and the goal against Hamilton too – so hopefully the luck turns in our favour.”
Inverness Caley Thistle currently sit four points behind the Fir Parkers and will be hungry to secure what could be the biggest three points of their season tomorrow afternoon.
It has been a turbulent campaign so far for tomorrow’s visitors, who currently occupy bottom spot in the Ladbrokes Premiership.
However, they will have their sights set on reducing that gap between themselves and the eleventh placed Steelmen to just a point heading in to the split.
It will be a welcome return for Richie Foran to Lanarkshire today, after the manager spent three seasons in Claret and Amber, making 90 appearances and scoring 23 goals.
He will be keen to get back to Fir Park this weekend as a manager as well, due to the fact that the last time his side arrived in Motherwell they left with three points following a resounding 3-0 win.
His side arrive tomorrow on the back of a 3-0 loss against St Johnstone as the visitors put Inverness to the sword at the Caledonian Stadium.
Goals from Steven MacLean, Liam Craig and Graham Cummins secured all three points for the Saints as Inverness’ run without a win extended to six matches.
But they will be confident in the knowledge they can pick up points against the Steelmen following their win at Fir Park back in October.
Tomorrow marks the third meeting between the two teams this season after that forgettable loss for the Steelmen and the hugely important win up north for the Fir Parkers in December.
On that afternoon in the Highlands, Craig Clay scored his first goal in Claret and Amber when he fired in a stunning effort from distance to put the ‘Well one up.
Scott McDonald made it two with just three minutes remaining before a late goal from Greg Tansey made it a fairly tense few minutes as the Steelmen managed to hold on.
As the season has surged on, the Northerners have hit a bit of a snag and find themselves slightly adrift at the foot of the table as they arrive in Lanarkshire tomorrow.
Over the course of the last few seasons, matches have been tough to call between tomorrow’s visitors and the Steelmen, making for an intriguing fixture this weekend.
