Aberdeen could move four points clear at the top of the Premiership table with victory over Motherwell this afternoon.
The Dons currently lead Celtic by one point but with Ronny Deila’s men not playing Kilmarnock until tomorrow, Aberdeen would extend that lead with a positive result today.
Motherwell suffered a heavy 5-0 loss against derby rivals Hamilton in their last outing and new manager Ian Baraclough will be looking for a reaction from his players today.
You can keep updated on the match through our live blog which will bring updates throughout the afternoon.
Motherwell team news
- Simon Ramsden (hamstring strain) went off early against Hamilton and is rated doubtful.
- Steven Hammell departed at half-time against Hamilton as he works his way back from groin surgery and may not be risked today.
- Mark O’Brien (head knock) and Stuart Carswell (illness) could return.
- Zaine Francis-Angol, Craig Moore, Iain Vigurs, Paul Lawson and Bob McHugh are unlikely to make it back.
- Jack Leitch is out for the long term.
Aberdeen team news
- Barry Robson returns to the Aberdeen squad after recovering from illness.
- Derek McInnes has no fresh injury worries for the trip to Lanarkshire.
- Clark Robertson and Craig Storie are closing in on returns to fitness following injury.
- Midfielders Willo Flood and Nicky Low and captain Russell Anderson remain sidelined.
Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough says
“We have Aberdeen, who are going well in the league, coming to our place.
“Their tails will be up and they will be trying to get about us again. We have to be ready for that and play our game.
“We have to lift the players and rectify what we did wrong (against Hamilton) when we take on Aberdeen.
“We have to be strong mentally. We are going to take knocks and that has happened to the squad a few times this season.
“We have got to be strong enough to be able to pick ourselves up. I won’t mope around the place, I won’t be feeling sorry for myself. I have to be able to pick the players up.”
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes says
“Motherwell will be a tough game.
“They have changed manager to try to get some impetus and pick up results again.
“With the squad Motherwell have and the way they performed last season it is only a matter of time for that to happen.
“However, we can go down there with real confidence.”
Read the rest of McInnes’ thoughts here as he looks to remain at the top of the Premiership table.
Provisional Motherwell squad
Twardzik, Reid, O’Brien, McManus, Lasley, Ojamaa, Ainsworth, Sutton, Law, Kerr, Erwin, Thomas, Ferguson, Cadden, Carswell, Neill, Ramsden, Cummins, Hammell, Nielsen.
Provisional Aberdeen squad
Brown, Logan, Reynolds, Considine, Taylor, Robson, Rooney, Pawlett, Monakana, Smith, McGinn, Hayes, Wright, Murray, Goodwillie, Jones, Jack, Rose, Felek, Shankland, Langfield.