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A Boxing Day trip to Tannadice lies in wait for Motherwell.

Here are the storylines going into the match.

Ending the absence

It has been almost five years since the Steelmen paid a visit to take on the Terrors.

You have to go back to February 2016 for the last trip to Tannadice, when a Scott McDonald double and further strike from Stephen McManus secured a 3-0 league victory.

Battle for the top six

United occupy fifth spot going into Saturday’s match, which could bring a place in the new UEFA Conference League depending on other factors come the end of the campaign.

The race for that, and a top six finish, is very tightly contested. Only five points separate the Steelmen and sixth placed Livingston, showing the congested nature of the pack.

Promising away form

Domestically in 2020/21, Motherwell have had more joy on their travels than at Fir Park.

Excluding trips to Celtic and Rangers, the only defeat on the road for Stephen Robinson’s men came on the opening day in Dingwall.

Since then, draws at Hibernian and St Johnstone have come with wins over Aberdeen and Livingston.

A Boxing Day trip to Dundee United lies in wait next for Motherwell.

It’s fifth versus sixth in the Scottish Premiership, as both sides vie to claim the spot which could well yield a European spot at the end of the campaign.

Kick-off at Tannadice is at 3pm.

Watch live

If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game will be available to buy on a pay-per-view basis from Dundee United for £12.50.

International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Tale of the tape

A 1-0 victory for Dundee United earlier in the campaign was the first encounter between the two sides in four years.

Prior to that, Motherwell won 3-0 on their last trip to Tannadice in February 2016, with a Scott McDonald double and further strike from Stephen McManus securing a 3-0 victory.

Form guide

Dundee United leapfrogged Motherwell into fifth spot with a 2-0 win at home to Kilmarnock on Wednesday night, while Motherwell were drawing 0-0 at home with Aberdeen.

The Terrors have won three of their last five home matches, beating Ross County, Hamilton and Kilmarnock, while drawing with Aberdeen and losing narrowly to Rangers.

Motherwell’s draw with Aberdeen ended a run of four straight defeats.

On their travels in the league in 2020/21, the Steelmen have won four, drawn two and lost three.

“The hunger and determination were there in abundance tonight. There are a lot of positives to take.”

Keith Lasley reacts to the 0-0 draw with Aberdeen at Fir Park.

Motherwell ended their losing run with a hard-fought point against an equally competitive Aberdeen.

In a game of few chances, Derek McInnes’ men had the better of the opening 25 minutes and might have been ahead.

However, having weathered that spell, the Steelmen finished the stronger side, passing up a couple of chances in the final 15 minutes.

But over the piece both teams, especially on their defensive performances were worthy of a point.

Stephen Robinson tweaked his line-up from the one which fell to three late goals at Ibrox. Liam Polworth started in midfield and with Bevis Mugabi consigned to the bench, Mark O’Hara dropped back to form a three-man central defence with Declan Gallagher and Ricki Lamie.

Curtis Main returned to Fir Park in Aberdeen colours. And within three minutes the former ‘Well striker had slipped his marked to force the ball into the side netting.

In a brisk opening from the Dons, Ross McCrorie’s 20 yard drive was diverted wide of goal.

‘Well’s response was a great Tony Watt run which won a corner but Polworth’s delivery found no takers.

On-loan Rangers’ midfielder McCrorie came close to the opening goal after 13 minutes when he got his head to Ryan Hedges’ corner but the ball rebound from the face of the crossbar.

There was a bit of a concern when Jordan Archer signalled to the bench to allow Aaron Chapman to warm up. However, after a series of stretching exercises, the ‘Well ‘keeper looked fit to continue.

With Motherwell being pressed into their own half Aberdeen had another great chance after 22 minutes when Main won a free kick a couple of yards outside the box. A clever set-piece allowed Johny Hayes to rifle a low shot beyond the wall but Archer, showing no signs of restrictions in his movements, threw himself to his right to make a terrific one-handed save.

After being on the back foot for most of the half, the Dons’ goal came under some threat in the ten minutes leading up to the interval. A series of corners caused some concern in the visitor’s box before Callum Lang was tripped 25 yards in front of goal. O’Hara curled his free kick over the defensive wall but Joe Lewis was waiting in the middle of his goal to make a comfortable save.

Three minutes from the break from a similar distance to the right of goal Polworth was left in charge of the free kick. His floated ball into a packed box found Watt but his nod on was swept clear by an Aberdeen defence at last put under some pressure.

The Dons kicked off the second half with top scorer Sam Cosgrove joining Main in the visitors’ attack.

The first threat on goal, though, came at the other end. Liam Grimshaw’s clever throw-in found Polworth racing into space at the corner of the box but his dipping volley towards goal was blocked by a Dons defender.

Lang and Watt were working extremely hard to occupy the Dons defence but as the half progressed most of the play was again in the Motherwell half of the pitch.

With 68 minutes played Robinson gave Lang a well-earned rest, bringing on Devante Cole to play through the centre of the home attack.

And the ‘Well sub was involved in his side’s best move after 75 minutes. Stephen O’Donnell played the ball to Watt, who let Cole race to the byeline before cutting the ball back just a couple of yards in front of the inrushing Polworth.

Three minutes later the Motherwell midfielder had a great opportunity to fire home the winner. Once again it was terrific play from Watt who dragged the ball into the box before rolling the ball in front of Polworth and his side-footed drive had the beating of Lewis until Taylor outstretched leg diverted the ball away from goal.

Watt’s final play was along the byeline before his firm drive was blocked by Lewis in front of his post, with the grounded ‘keeper relieved to see the loose ball rebound from Taylor and back into his arms.

In the final minute, Cole raced upfield and was eventually felled at the second time of asking and gain Motherwell a free kick. With Watt running out of energy, Jordan White came on to add his height to a packed box but Polworth’s free kick failed to clear the first defender leaving Motherwell to settle for a point.

We are installing a brand new PA system at Fir Park.

As part of our improvement programme to the stadium as we await the return of supporters, we have invested in a system which will significantly enhance the matchday experience.

Installed in partnership with CITA Smart Solutions, the new PA network in the stadium replaces the previous setup, which had been in place since the mid-1970s.

“We’re delighted to have made this change at the stadium,” chief executive Alan Burrows said. “It is another step forward in ensuring our home continues to be fit for purpose.

“We long shared the frustration of our fans in how inadequate the old system was.

“The existing infrastructure was purchased when Abbotsinch Airport became Glasgow Airport, so that gives an idea of just how critical it was that we brought things up to modern standards.

“When supporters are allowed to return home to Fir Park, we hope they will see and benefit from several improvements we have made, and are continuing to make, across the stadium.”

CITA are an integrated security solutions business, who have already assisted the club through recent months with a number of projects.

“We’re happy to have helped Motherwell FC to enhance the experience at Fir Park,” Ian Beattie, managing director from CITA Smart Solutions said.

“Developing cost-effective technologies, CITA remains at the forefront of technological advancements in integrated security, ensuring it meets and exceeds the demands and requirements of its customers.

“Our partnership with Motherwell FC has led to our involvement in many key projects around the club. We’re delighted to be involved.”

A live stream of Wednesday night’s encounter between Motherwell and Aberdeen is available worldwide.

If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game will be available to buy on a pay-per-view basis for £12.

International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Kick-off at Fir Park is at 6.15pm.

“We will keep doing what we are doing and keep believing. We’ve no doubt at all we will turn it around.”

The manager looks ahead to the clash with the Dons on Wednesday night.

We have been out in our local community delivering festive parcels to those in need, in association with the SPFL Trust.

Each box contains £35 worth of supplies, such as soup, sweets and soap to help those who need it most.

There are real extremes of poverty we are giving help to. People who don’t have money to turn the electricity on, or to switch the oven on to cook food.

Because of the surge in the Covid-19 virus, many of these people will be spending Christmas Day alone.

We are here to try and improve people’s lives. So many in our area are finding things tough just now, and we’re stepping up to help.