Latest News

Stephen Robinson said his Motherwell side showed plenty effort, but lacked a killer instinct in the final third as their top six hopes were ended at Aberdeen.

Motherwell’s top six hopes were ended at Pittodrie, as Aberdeen ran out 3-1 winners in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Goals from Max Lowe and Niall McGinn did the damage, despite Jake Hastie restoring parity shortly before half time.

Aberdeen’s opener came out of nowhere with four minutes gone. A harmless looking Max Lowe left-footed cross from the left sailed over everyone, including Mark Gillespie in the ‘Well goal, and into the top right corner of the net.

The hosts would create more chances as the visitors took time to grow into the game, but their equaliser would come with 10 minutes to play in the half.

Hastie had been threatening to try and get between defenders with runs inside, and Richard Tait picked him out perfectly after cutting inside from the left.

The forward still had work to do as he cut across from the right to left, rounding Joe Lewis and placing the ball home to make it 1-1.

Motherwell started brightly but with 10 minutes gone in the half were forced into a change after injury to goalkeeper Mark Gillespie.

A lengthy stoppage resulted in Rohan Ferguson making his first competitive appearance for the Steelmen, but he was powerless to prevent McGinn getting the Dons back in front soon after.

A weak shot from sub Greg Stewart ricocheted off Tom Aldred and unfortunately fell into the path of the Northern Irishman, who thundered the ball into the net from close range.

Cadden and Frear were introduced to try and spark more attacking play but Aberdeen stood firm in defence, and McGinn added the clincher in seven minutes of added time with a curling effort into the top right corner of the net, ending Motherwell’s faint top six hopes.

Motherwell go to Aberdeen on Wednesday night, knowing a win is needed to keep dreams of a Ladbrokes Premiership top six finish alive.

Here’s the match previewed.

The permutations

It’s simple for Motherwell. Win, and we’ve done our side of things to stay in the top six hunt.

In Edinburgh, Hibernian must lose to Kilmarnock at Easter Road. If both things happen, Motherwell move to within two points with one game to go.

The form guide

Aberdeen’s home form hasn’t been great in 2019. They’ve not won in six league matches at Pittodrie, with their last home win coming on 22 December against Hearts.

Since then, Celtic, Rangers and Hamilton have taken maximum points back down the road, while Kilmarnock, St Mirren and Livingston have all shared the spoils with the Dons.

Motherwell have won seven of their last 10 matches. On their travels, however, they are without a win in three, having lost to Celtic and Hibernian, and drawn with Kilmarnock.

Team news

Trevor Carson, Craig Tanner, Ross McCormack and Christian Mbulu remain sidelined.

Pay at the gate

Cash gates will be in operation at Pittodrie.

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

Watch it live online

If you’re based outside of the UK/Ireland, you can watch a live stream of the game direct from Pittodrie.

To sign up for our service, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk and choose your package. Subscriptions to see live games start at just £12 a month.

Every league game between now and the split will be broadcast live on our service.

If you’re in the UK or Ireland but can’t make the game, there’s also live audio commentary available on our service. Our domestic subscriptions cost £6 a month and also get you full game replays.

Keith Lasley says Motherwell head to Aberdeen on Wednesday with a clear mindset – to win the match and stay in top six contention.

Back in the team after injury, Chris Cadden says Motherwell head to Aberdeen mindful of the need to win to keep top six hopes alive.

After taking seven points in March, it’s time to pick your Tullibardine Motherwell player of the month.

To vote, just head to our Facebook page and choose who you think should scoop the award this time out.

In contention is David Turnbull, who scored in wins over Hamilton Academical and St Johnstone. The consistent, young midfielder is a multiple winner of the award.

Mark Gillespie kept three clean sheets in March, shutting out Kilmarnock, Hamilton Academical and St Johnstone. The goalkeeper also saved a penalty against the Saints for the second time this campaign, adding to a further saves against Celtic earlier in the season.

Tom Aldred has also been a pivotal part of the defence in that run in March, with the defender a rock at the heart of the backline.

His fellow defensive partner Richard Tait has also been involved in the shutouts, as well as skippering the team and adding a rare goal against St Johnstone in the last match of the month.

It is a must-win match for Motherwell on Wednesday, as Stephen Robinson’s men go to Pittodrie to face Aberdeen.

Here’s the game previewed in numbers.

Six

It’s all about the top six. A win is needed for Motherwell against Derek McInnes’ side for there to be any chance of finishing in the top half of the table in the 2018/19 season.

At the same time, Hibernian must lose at home to Kilmarnock for the gap to be closed to two points going into the final day of the regular season.

Seven

Motherwell have won seven of their last 10 matches, a fantastic run of form which has yielded defeats only away to Celtic and Hibernian.

A reverse in form away from home is needed however, with those two defeats coming on the road, as well as a draw with Kilmarnock.

2014

To reach the top six, the Steelmen must summon the spirit of 2014. Then, three wins were needed in the space of eight days to reach second place in the table.

We all know what happened. Victories over St Johnstone and Inverness CT set up a final day showdown at Pittodrie. Craig Reid’s last-minute winner sparked jubilant scenes, leapfrogging the Dons and taking second spot.

Motherwell travel to Aberdeen on Wednesday night, knowing a win is required to keep in contention for a place in the top six.

Here’s an early look ahead to the match.

The top six permutations

A win is absolutely essential for Motherwell to keep up hopes of a late surge into the top six. Hibernian must also lose at home to Kilmarnock on the same night for the Steelmen to take the matter to the final day of the regular season.

Tale of the tape

Aberdeen have had topsy-turvy form in their last 10 matches. The Dons have recorded three wins, four draws and three defeats in that time.

Their home league form has also seen Derek McInnes’ side go without a Ladbrokes Premiership victory at Pittodrie in seven matches. Six games since 22 December have seen them draw three and lose three.

Motherwell’s win over St Johnstone on Saturday made it seven wins from their last 10 games. There has only been two defeat in that spell – losses at Celtic and Hibernian.

Head to head

Motherwell matches with Aberdeen are never predictable.

This season has seen both teams win on home turf. Aberdeen won 1-0 earlier in the campaign, before a resounding 3-0 victory for the Steelmen at Fir Park.

Motherwell won their second-last visit to the north east, with Louis Moult’s double in November 2017 getting all three points.

Pay at the gate

Cash gates will be in operation at Pittodrie.

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

Watch it live

If you’re based outside of the UK/Ireland, you can watch a live stream of the game direct from Pittodrie.

To sign up for our service, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk and choose your package. Subscriptions to see live games start at just £12 a month.

Every league game between now and the split will be broadcast live on our service.

If you’re in the UK or Ireland but can’t make the game, there’s also live audio commentary available on our service. Our domestic subscriptions cost £6 a month and also get you full game replays.

It was win or bust for our top six hopes.

This is the Story of the Match from the visit of St Johnstone.

See the best of the action as Motherwell keep in touch of the top six with an emphatic victory over St Johnstone in the Ladbrokes Premiership.