| 5 | Dundee United | 29 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 41 |
| 6 | Hearts | 30 | 11 | 6 | 13 | 3 | 39 |
| 7 | Motherwell | 30 | 11 | 5 | 14 | -14 | 38 |
| 8 | St Mirren | 30 | 10 | 5 | 15 | -12 | 35 |
| 9 | Ross County | 30 | 9 | 8 | 13 | -20 | 35 |
Callum Lang has returned to Wigan Athletic.
The forward has been recalled by the English League One club, having moved to Fir Park on loan in the summer.
Lang scored five goals in 21 appearances, becoming a regular starter in the forward line.
We thank Callum for his contributions and wish him all the best for the future.
Motherwell are on the road against on Saturday, with a trip to face St Mirren.
Kick-off in the Scottish Premiership match is at 3pm.
Here are the key topics going into the game.
Graham Alexander’s arrival on Thursday night as Motherwell manager will see him in the dugout for the journey to Paisley.
The boss, who succeeds Stephen Robinson, will spend Friday preparing his squad before taking his first match.
A run of 10 matches without a win is there for the Steelmen to put a halt to on Saturday.
Three wins and seven defeats has put the team in 11th spot in the league, albeit with two matches still to catch up.
St Mirren, however, are undefeated in their last four matches against ‘Well, winning two and drawing two.
In contrast to Motherwell, St Mirren have picked up a host of positive results in the past few months.
Incorporating Premiership and Betfred Cup matches, Jim Goodwin’s side have won 10 of their last 15 matches and enjoyed an 11-game unbeaten run between 7 October and 23 December, before Hibernian picked up a 1-0 win at Easter Road.
Since that blip, a recovery 2-0 win over Ross County was followed by a home league loss to Rangers and a draw at Kilmarnock, which came via a late equaliser for St Mirren at the weekend.
Motherwell are undefeated in their last four trips to Paisley, winning three league encounters and drawing in last season’s Scottish Cup.
In those games, the visitors have netted scored eight, with two scored in reply.
St Mirren’s last win in the fixture at home came back in May 2015, with two late goals sealing a 2-1 victory.
Jordan Archer has left Motherwell to join Middlesbrough.
The goalkeeper, who made four appearances for the club, joined the Steelmen on a short-term deal in October.
With that contract now at an end, the Scotland international ‘keeper returns to the English Championship.
He will chase a second successive promotion, having been part of the Fulham squad which went up to the English Premier League last campaign.
We thank Jordan for his contributions and wish him well for the future.
Motherwell head to St Mirren next in the Scottish Premiership.
The Steelmen go in search of a win to kickstart their campaign, which has faltered in recent months.
Kick-off at St Mirren Park on Saturday is at 3pm.
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 St Mirren for £12.50.
International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.
St Mirren were victors at Fir Park in December, with Jamie McGrath’s early goal handing the visitors a 1-0 victory.
The Buddies are unbeaten in four against Motherwell, winning their last three at Fir Park and drawing 1-1 at home in the Scottish Cup last February.
Motherwell are now 10 matches without a victory, drawing three and losing seven in that spell.
The run was compounded by a 3-0 loss to Hamilton Academical at the weekend.
St Mirren’s last-minute equaliser at Kilmarnock on Saturday kept them seventh in the Premiership.
Jim Goodwin’s men have won four, drawn three and lost three of their last 10 league matches.
“I’m angry. This is a club which has always fought against the odds. We don’t have that fighting spirit at the moment.”
Keith Lasley reacts to the 3-0 derby loss at Hamilton Academical.
Motherwell started the new year with another disappointing defeat, this time in the derby at the hands of Hamilton.
Goals from Lee Hodson, Ross Callachan and Callum Smith consigned ‘Well to the loss in the week where Stephen Robinson left as manager.
Interim boss Keith Lasley made four changes to the side which started the 2-0 loss to Kilmarnock in midweek.
Trevor Carson, Mark O’Hara and Ricki Lamie were the enforced absentees, with Aaron Chapman, Jake Hastie and Bevis Mugabi coming into the team.
Jake Carroll also made his first start since returning from injury, with Robbie Crawford moving to the bench.
The first chance in the game fell to the visitors. Hodson found room on the right, but his shot was gathered by Chapman.
Tony Watt then came agonisingly close to giving Motherwell the lead. O’Donnell’s driven cross from the right was scooped just past the left-hand post by the striker.
Hamilton would take the lead on the 10 minute mark. Hodson got himself into acres of space on the counter on the right-hand side.
He had to steady himself for the shot, which was close to the goalkeeper but still found the net.
Lasley’s men would carve out half-chances as the first 45 wore on. Gallagher hit the post from a Polworth free-kick, before being ruled offside, while Watt’s shot from Polworth’s flick was well saved.
The half-time interval would give Motherwell time to take stock and come out the traps, but it proved to be the opposite.
Moyo found room on the right and steered the ball back to the edge of the box, where Callachan was on hand to fire past Chapman to make it two.
It would be worse on the 65th minute mark. More room down the right allowed a cross to Smith, who steered his header with precision off the left-hand post and in.
Motherwell: Chapman, O’Donnell, Gallagher, Mugabi, Carroll, Grimshaw, Campbell, Polworth, Cole (White), Hastie (Maguire), Watt.
Subs not used: Morrison, Devine, McGinley, Johnston, Crawford, Cornelius, Seedorf.
PJ Morrison has been recalled from his loan at Falkirk.
The young goalkeeper made eight appearances for the Bairns, keeping four clean sheets.
PJ will be available for selection for Saturday’s match with Hamilton Academical if required.
Motherwell travel to Hamilton for the first game of 2021 in the Premiership on Saturday.
Here are the key topics going into the game. Kick-off is at 3pm.
The departure of Stephen Robinson this week will see Keith Lasley take the team on Saturday.
The interim boss will be tasked with picking up a team who are nine games without a victory.
The FOYS Stadium has been a productive venue for Motherwell in recent times.
The Steelmen have won two and drawn two of the last four derby fixtures on their travels, with a 0-0 draw on their last trip.
Accies go into the weekend bottom of the Premiership but know a win would lift them above Motherwell, and potentially also send their rivals bottom.
‘Well are 10th, two points ahead of Hamilton and one ahead of 11th placed Ross County, who host out-of-form St Johnstone.
2021 starts with a trip to face Hamilton Academical in the Scottish Premiership.
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 £15.
International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.
Kick-off at the FOYS Stadium on Saturday 2 January is at 3pm.
The first game of 2021 sees Motherwell make the short trip to face Hamilton Academical.
Kick-off at the FOYS Stadium on Saturday 2 January is at 3pm.
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 £15.
International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.
Hamilton are unbeaten in four in the Lanarkshire derby, picking up two wins and two draws since Motherwell’s last win in the fixture in August 2019.
Away from home, the Steelmen have won two and drawn two of the last four derby fixtures.
Accies have won one, drawn one and lost three of their last five Premiership matches.
An away win at Ross County and draw on their travels at St Johnstone came alongside losses, all at home, to Hibernian, Livingston and Celtic.
In the same timeframe, Motherwell have drawn with Aberdeen and Dundee United, and suffered defeats to St Mirren, Rangers and Kilmarnock.
