Preview: Aberdeen vs. Motherwell - prediction, team news, lineups

Motherwell will be looking to end their five-game run without a victory on Saturday when they travel to the Pittodrie Stadium to face Aberdeen.

The hosts have gone three matches in a row without a defeat now, but find themselves level on points with the Steelmen.

Match preview

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Aberdeen have put together an impressive run of form since the October international break, with only one defeat in the four games since that point.

The club have enjoyed a three-match run without a loss, having defeated Hibernian and Hearts while also holding current table-toppers Rangers to a draw.

Stephen Glass saw his team defeat the Jam Tarts at the weekend as they came back from behind to secure the three points, with goals from Marley Watkins and Lewis Ferguson.

The Dons find themselves in mid-table at the moment, being level on points with Motherwell as they sit above them based on goal difference alone.

Aberdeen have been stronger defensively than their opponents in the Scottish Premiership, conceding five goals fewer than them in the opening 12 games.

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The Steelmen were embarrassed in their last outing as they leaked in six goals against Rangers in a match that Graham Alexander would likely want to forget.

The Gers dominated Motherwell on Saturday, even though Bevis Mugabi had provided his team with the perfect start, giving them the lead in the 12th minute.

It has been a poor run of form lately for Alexander's men which have seen them drop to seventh in the table, having failed to win in their previous five fixtures.

The Steelmen now only sit five points above the relegation zone, which is a position they want to get themselves out of as soon as possible.

However, Motherwell will be able to take confidence from the fact they defeated Aberdeen 2-0 when they met earlier this season, with Kevin van Veen and Juhani Ojala getting on the scoresheet.

Team News

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Mikey Devlin was able to return to training this week as he continues his long journey back from an ankle ligament injury, but Saturday's fixture will come too soon for him.

He is one of many defensive issues that Aberdeen are dealing with right now, as Declan Gallagher is out with a hamstring problem, while Calvin Ramsay has a thigh issue.

Both Jack MacKenzie and Andy Considine are also out of action which has led to Glass relying on experienced midfielder Scott Brown to sit back and play as a central defender, which will continue at the weekend.

One player who Motherwell will be missing this weekend is full-back Stephen O'Donnell, who was sent off during their recent outing against Rangers.

Ojala was missing for the 6-1 defeat due to a groin problem and that could lead to Mugabi retaining his place in the starting XI, especially after finding the back of the net in that game.

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Lewis; Bates, Brown, McCrorie; Ojo, Campbell, Ferguson, McGeouch, Hedges; Watkins, Ramirez

Motherwell possible starting lineup:
Kelly; Mugabi, Johansen, McGinley, Carroll; O'Hara, Slattery, Goss; Roberts, Watt, Shields

We say: Aberdeen 2-0 Motherwell

Despite the fact these two teams are level on points, when it comes to momentum and confidence they are worlds apart right now, and that is going to give Aberdeen a distinct advantage.

Motherwell have struggled defensively as of late and that should lead to opportunities for the Dons to cause pressure and secure the three points.

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