Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has been impressed by his side’s best defence despite the loss of Mark Reynolds.
Former Motherwell defender Reynolds was an almost ever-present for the Dons last season, playing every match except the penultimate fixture against Dundee when he was rested.
A shoulder injury suffered against Macedonian side FK Shkendija in a Europa League qualifier means the central defender is unlikely to play again before October.
Paul Quinn and Andrew Considine have been given the chance to partner Ash Taylor in the centre of defence and Aberdeen are the only Premiership team to have not conceded a league goal yet.
Alex Smith was in charge when Aberdeen last started a league campaign with three wins – back in 1991 – and McInnes is pleased the start to the season has not been derailed by Reynolds’ injury.
He said: “We have put a few different combinations together in the six European games and two league games. We had a solid foundation last season and managed to get plenty of clean sheets and we have started the way we want to go on.
“We have a good trust in our defenders and hopefully we are not ruing the loss of Mark too much.
“He is still on schedule for October. We have to go carefully with the injury but we hope to have him back running next week.
“We are keen to get him back as he is such an important player.
“But we have players who have come here to play and they have produced a level of performance that is pleasing.”
Aberdeen enjoyed a clean sweep against Motherwell last season, but McInnes has warned his players to expect a much tougher game at Fir Park today.
The Dons triumphed in all three encounters against the Steelmen, who defeated Rangers over two legs in the play-off final to retain their top flight status.
And McInnes expects Ian Baraclough’s side to be contending in the top half of the table this term rather than struggling against relegation.
He said: “Motherwell finished strongly last season and showed the results they can get.
“Their form at the back end of last season suggested they can be a top six team.
“They will have aspirations to do that and Ian has made some good signings.
“Motherwell away is always a tough fixture for any team. We have had a decent record there over recent seasons and, if we produce a performance we are capable of, we are confident of getting the right result.
“But we expect to have to scrap tooth and nail for anything we get there.”