Two clubs predicted to struggle at the wrong end of the Scottish Premiership table this season began their league campaigns at Fir Park on Saturday afternoon as Motherwell play host to Ross County.
Motherwell topped their League Cup group but were far from convincing, finishing just one point clear of nearest challengers Partick Thistle.
Stuart Kettlewell’s men had a couple of wins over whipping boys Edinburgh City and fellow fourth-tier side Clyde but could only draw at home to Partick Thistle and away at League One side Montrose.
The Steelmen finished in 9th position in the Scottish Premiership last term, and another bottom-half finish could be likely this campaign.
Like their hosts, Ross County also finished top of their League Cup group but were more convincing, finishing with a 100% record.
The Staggies defeated Championship pair Raith Rovers and Hamilton Accies – as well as lower league duo Stirling Albion and Stranraer – by an aggregate score of 10-3.
Don Cowie’s men have stayed up via the playoffs the last couple of seasons, and he’ll be hoping his side will finish above 11th position this term.
How the bookies view it: Steelmen Favourites to Secure All Three Points
Motherwell have been installed as favourites here, with a home win best-priced at 10/11 by Skybet. A victory for The Staggies is priced at 31/10 at Bet365, while William Hill are offering odds of 11/4 for a stalemate.
Head to head: Motherwell Done Well in This Fixture Last Term
Motherwell picked up seven points from a possible 12 in their meetings with Ross County last term (W2-D1-L1), winning the last two 5-0 and 1-5.
Players to watch: Watch out for White
Staggies frontman Jordan White has been in fine form in the League Cup already this campaign, banging in four goals across their opening four matches and will be their best bet for a goal here.
Motherwell’s Lennon Miller is one of the biggest talents in Scottish football and has been linked with a move away from North Lanarkshire. He scored from the spot in their victory at Clyde in the League Cup group stages and is usually involved in The Well’s best work.
Probable line-ups
Harry Paton was taken off before half-time at Clyde and is expected to be out for around 14 weeks, so Andy Halliday will likely deputise again.
Top-scorer Jordan White only came on for the final quarter of an hour in their routine 3-0 victory over Stirling Albion at the weekend and is expected to come back in from the off here.
Motherwell: Hegyi, O’Donnell, Gordon, Casey, Blaney, Wells, Miller, Zdravkovski, Wilson, Halliday, Robinson
Ross County: Laidlaw, Brown, Wright, Leak, Efete, Randall, Telfer, Reid, Samuel, Hale, White
Anything else catch the eye?”
Goals were a feature in this fixture last season, with a staggering 20 goals being scored across their four contests.
Over 2.5 Goals landed in 4/4 (100%) of them, with Both Teams to Score also clicking in three of them and combining them both pays 21/20 at Bet365.
Jordan White has already scored four goals for The Staggies in the League Cup this term – only failing to score in his 15-minute cameo off the bench against Stirling Albion last time out – and is an appealing 3/1 to net anytime at Bet365.
This Scottish Premiership match between Motherwell and Ross County will be played on Aug 3, 2024 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Motherwell vs Ross County prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
