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Ross County
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 3
May 7, 2022 at 3pm UK
Global Energy Stadium
Motherwell logo

Ross County
0 - 1
Motherwell


Tillson (42'), Iacovitti (90+4')
FT(HT: 0-0)
van Veen (68' pen.)
Ojala (14'), Goss (74'), van Veen (85')

Preview: Ross County vs. Motherwell - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Scottish Premiership clash between Ross County and Motherwell, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

With the two sides now likely finding themselves in a battle for fifth spot in the Scottish Premiership table, Ross County and Motherwell will square off at Victoria Park on Saturday.

The two teams each snuck into the Championship group when the Scottish top flight split but are yet to pick up a win in two attempts in the second phase of the campaign.


Match preview

Ross County manager Malky Mackay reacts on March 19, 2022© Reuters

Ahead of the Scottish Premiership's split into two groups after 33 games, Ross County put themselves in the mix for a top-six place as they recorded three straight wins over St Johnstone, Motherwell and St Mirren running into the beginning of March.

After a heavy defeat to Celtic, a draw with Hearts and a final-day win over Aberdeen were enough to book their place in the Championship group.

They were given a tough start to the second phase with a home meeting against league leaders Celtic, and Malky Mackay's side were unable to spring any surprises, falling to a 2-0 defeat.

They then hosted third-placed Hearts last time out and were able to earn a commendable point as they held the Jambos to a goalless draw, moving a point clear of Saturday's opponents as a result.

With just three games left and fourth-placed Dundee United three points ahead, the Staggies do still have an outside chance of a top-four finish, but they will firstly look to move further clear of their visitors with a win at the weekend.

Graham Alexander, now in charge of Motherwell, pictured in September 2020© Reuters

Motherwell, meanwhile, arrive aiming to bounce back from consecutive defeats since taking a place in the top six.

Graham Alexander's side took on Livingston in their final game of the first phase in a decider for the top six, and, after trailing 2-0, they snatched a draw thanks to Callum Slattery's goal and Ricki Lamie's 93rd-minute equaliser.

That was enough to secure a place in the Championship group, but the second phase has not gone to plan so far, as the Well firstly succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Rangers, who played with 10 men for an hour.

They then travelled to take on Dundee United last weekend and left empty-handed as Dylan Levitt's first-half goal made the only difference between the sides.

Such a result leaves Alexander's men sixth in the top flight, one point behind Saturday's opponents and four shy of the Tangerines, and they will see a win as crucial on Saturday if they are to crack the top five in the final three weeks.

Ross County Scottish Premiership form:
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • D

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • L

Motherwell form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • L



Team News

Ross County's Alex Iacovitti gestures towards the referee on March 19, 2022© Reuters

Ross County are set to remain without goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer, leaving Ross Laidlaw uncontested between the sticks.

Jordan White should continue to lead the line, while Regan Charles-Cook and Blair Spittal are threats on the flanks, having hit 10 and six goals respectively this season.

Captain Keith Watson will again partner Alex Iacovitti at the heart of the back four.

Motherwell are without midfielder Barry Maguire due to an injury, while Scotland international Stephen O'Donnell may also continue a spell on the sidelines.

However, key attacker Kevin van Veen will return from a suspension, and he is in line to come back into the starting XI, having hit eight goals and provided five assists in the Scottish Premiership this season.

Sean Goss could again line up alongside Callum Slattery and Dean Cornelius in a talented midfield trio.

Ross County possible starting lineup:
Laidlaw; Randall, Watson, Iacovitti, Vokins; Tillson, Paton; Spittal, Callachan, Charles-Cook; White

Motherwell possible starting lineup:
Kelly; Mugabi, Ojala, Lamie, Carroll; Cornelius, Slattery, Goss; Tierney; Shields, Van Veen


SM words green background

We say: Ross County 2-1 Motherwell

Ross County should come in on a relative high following their solid display against Hearts, while Alexander's side will be hit by consecutive losses, and we see the Staggies triumphing with home advantage as a result.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data



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Written by
Sam Varley

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Motherwell win with a probability of 41.08%. A win for Ross County had a probability of 31.54% and a draw had a probability of 27.4%.

The most likely scoreline for a Motherwell win was 0-1 with a probability of 11.66%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-2 (8.46%) and 0-2 (7.62%). The likeliest Ross County win was 1-0 (9.9%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.94%). The actual scoreline of 0-1 was predicted with an 11.7% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted a 0-1 win for Motherwell in this match.


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Game History

How you voted: Ross County vs Motherwell

Ross County
75.0%
Draw
12.5%
Motherwell
12.5%
8
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1514104444043
2Aberdeen16104230181234
3RangersRangers1510232791832
4Motherwell168172226-425
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd166642519624
6St Mirren176382228-621
7Dundee165472729-219
8Kilmarnock174581834-1617
9Hibernian173682129-815
10Ross County173681333-2015
11St Johnstone1742112032-1214
12Hearts1734101826-813


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