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Despite all of Celtic’s domestic success, Kilmarnock are largely considered to be the best side in Scotland in 2018.

Steve Clarke has overseen a miraculous year at the helm and his side arrive at Fir Park looking to end the year on a high.

Here, we take a look at the Ayrshire outfit.

Title charge for Clarke and company

It may be early in the campaign, but as things stand, Kilmarnock are still within reach of the title challengers.

Celtic sit top of the tree at Christmas, with Rangers just one point behind and Kilmarnock four points off the pace.

It may be ambitious to imagine, but if Killie can carry on the form that has seen them become the best side of the year so far, they could push Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen all the way.

Scintillating Stewart

Greg Stewart has played a direct part in 41% of Kilmarnock’s goals this season.

Scoring eight and assisting four of Kilmarnock’s 29 goals in the league is a stunning return for the former Dons man.

There is arguably no player more important to their side than Stewart at the moment.

Stranglehold on Steelmen

The Ayrshire outfit have had a strong run of form over the Steelmen, picking up three wins in the last three clashes between the two sides.

The last time the two faced each other at Fir Park, Killie won 1-0 thanks to a Stephen O’Donnell strike.

Prior to those three wins for Killie, ‘Well won three clashes in a row with the Rugby Park side.

Our offices are open on Boxing Day for the sale of tickets for the derby with Hamilton Academical.

Fans can buy in advance for the derby from the ticket office from 11am until 3pm. We are also open on Christmas Eve until 4pm.

We are closed thereafter until 3 January.

Kilmarnock arrive at Fir Park looking to end a stunning 2018 in style. 

Stephen Robinson’s Motherwell face an incredibly resolute side who have gone on an incredible run under Steve Clarke.

Here, we take a look at Wednesday’s fixture in numbers.

Four

The number of games against Kilmarnock since the Steelmen last notched a victory.

Kilmarnock have won three on the bounce against the Fir Parkers, including a 1-0 victory at Fir Park in February.

The last win Motherwell picked up against the Ayrshire side was a 2-0 win in September 2017.

14

The combined number of goals between the two clubs top scorers in the league.

Danny Johnson has bagged six so far this term, firing the Steelmen to some crucial victories along the way.

Greg Stewart, meanwhile, has scored eight for the Ayrshire outfit.

64

The total number of points Kilmarnock have picked up in 2018.

No side has had a better 12 months than Steve Clarke’s Killie, who are a point better off than Celtic across the year.

The Ayrshire outfit have lost just five league games all year under the stewardship of Clarke.

Kilmarnock are the Boxing Day visitors to Fir Park.

Here’s a look ahead to the game.

Second meeting

Motherwell got themselves a goal to the good in the first meeting between the two sides earlier in the campaign at Rugby Park, through Curtis Main’s strike. They then had the chance to go two goals up from the spot, but Main saw his effort saved.

The home side were galvanised, netting two before the break before sealing a 3-1 win after the break.

Form guide

Kilmarnock sit just four points off the top of the table with half of the season played.

In their last five games, they’ve won their three home matches, but lost to Celtic and drawn to Hamilton on the road.

Motherwell arrive at the game off the back of a 1-0 home loss to St Mirren. It marked the Steelmen’s third defeat in five, with a draw with Celtic and a win over St Johnstone also in the mix.

Tickets available online and on the gate

You can buy your tickets online right now. You can print your tickets at home and bring them straight to the gate, or choose to collect at the ticket office.

A pay gate is also available for home fans. Our cheapest ticket for the game is just £20 for adults. Children aged 15 and under can get in to the stadium for just £3 in every stand. Full ticket prices are available here.

Away fans will be situated in the South Stand and can pay at the gate.

Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

Watch live online

If you’re outside of the UK/Ireland, you can watch the game live online through our subscription service.

For just £12 a month, you can watch all Motherwell home matches and the majority of away games. Just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk and subscribe now.

Gaël Bigirimana, Danny Johnson and Carl McHugh spoke after the 1-0 home loss to St Mirren.

Keith Lasley reflects on this afternoon’s 1-0 defeat against St Mirren in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

The assistant manager admitted the Steelmen were not good enough as they slipped to a disappointing loss at Fir Park.

“We’re bitterly disappointed. Even taking the result away from it, the performance wasn’t good enough,” he said.

There was little Christmas cheer for Motherwell, as a Simeon Jackson goal midway through the second half was enough to secure all three points for St Mirren.

With Stephen Robinson expelled to the stand for the next three games, Keith Lasley assumed the manager’s role on the touchline. But despite the former ‘Well captain highlighting the need for consistency, a poor performance after some terrific home form not only cost the Fir Parkers a crucial win but also saw their lead over the relegation threatened Buddies reduced to six points.

The injection of five changes from the midweek visit to Celtic Park failed to have an impact in a game devoid of any sustained football. As both teams struggled to maintain control and possession of the ball in conditions made difficult with bouts of torrential rain goalmouth action was scarce.

While the Fir Park men might have claimed to have had the bulk of the play in their visitors’ half they did little to threaten Dean Lyness in the Saints’ goal. Indeed the ‘keeper’s first save came almost midway through the half when David Turnbull’s free kick curled beyond the his defensive line forcing Lyness to clutch the ball under his cross bar.

The Saints ‘keeper should have been tested 10 minutes later when Turnbull’s cross picked out Curtis Main six yards in front of goal but his attempted header came off his should allowing Lyness to make a comfortable save.

The consensus was that the football and weather could only improve in the second half and in fresh strips and dry overhead ‘Well restarted in a more positive manner.

After seven minutes Richard Tait wriggled free of his marker at the corner of the box before hammering the ball across a packed area. Danny Johnson reacted well but could only hook the ball over the crossbar.

On the hour mark Lasley made his first and substitution, replacing Christian Mbulu with Gael Bigirimana.

However, it was the Saints sub Adam Hammill who brought some life to the Buddies. In the 68th minute his pass sent Lee Hodson through but when Mark Gillespie blocked his shot the ball bounced kindly into the path of Jackson who steered it past Tait on the goal line to put the Paisley side ahead.

That prompted a response from the Steelmen and Main’s powerful header from Turnbull’s corner looked like the equalizer until Lyness made a terrific block.

After 77 minutes Turnbull decided to take route one and his powerful drive from 30 yards had Lyness flapping to clear the ball but when Main nodded the rebound back towards goal the ‘keeper comfortably collect the ball and end any danger.

With ten minutes remaining ‘Well made a bold double substitution bringing on two strikers Conor Sammon and Ryan Bowman at the expense of Campbell and Tait.

Despite having the ball in the Saints box for most of the closing minutes, it took a great save from Gillespie to deny Hammill adding a second goal and killing off the game.

Motherwell came close to making the most of that save and snatching a point in the final action of the game. Liam Grimshaw’s cross into a crowded box found Turnbull sneaking in at the back post and his downward header from a couple of was heading inside the post until the ball was brilliantly blocked by the ‘keeper’s legs.

However, it was too little too late from a Motherwell side which will rue the opportunity to widen the gap between themselves and Saints.

Watch the highlights as Motherwell lose at home to St Mirren.