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It’s Clyde next for Motherwell in the final Betfred Cup group stage match of the 2018/19 campaign.

Here are some key numbers and statistics you need to know ahead of Saturday’s game.

Three

The simple permutation for Motherwell to top the group is to take all three points from the match. A win would put us on 10 points, guaranteed top spot.

A bonus point win on penalties after a draw would put us on nine points and by no means guaranteed to qualify through second spot.

33

It’s been a while since Clyde claimed a competitive win over Motherwell – 33 years to be precise. Their last victory came in a 1-0 win at Shawfield in March 1985, as the Fir Parkers briefly stalled on their way to winning the First Division title.

Since then, Motherwell have won all five cup games between the pair, recording an aggregate scoreline of 19-2.

11

The amount of consecutive Betfred Cup group stage games Motherwell have scored in. You have to go back to the very first in July 2016 for the last time we failed to net in a group match, when Rangers won 2-0 at Fir Park.

Five

Eight goals scored, five different scorers so far in the 2018/19 Betfred Cup for Motherwell. After Elliott Frear’s opening day hat-trick, four other players have also found the net: Richard Tait, Curtis Main, Peter Hartley and Conor Sammon.

10

The consecutive number of games Clyde have scored at least one goal at home. You have to go back to January for the last time they failed to score at Broadwood in a 3-0 defeat to Stenhousemuir. Their aggregate home score since then is 20-8.

When looking back over the past 12 months, Trevor Carson described it as a “fairy tale”.

The goalkeeper enjoyed an outstanding debut season with Motherwell, picked up multiple player of the year awards and collected his long-awaited international caps for Northern Ireland.

And now the Fir Park stopper is desperate for the dream to continue, just 12 months after signing for the Steelmen.

“It was a fairy tale season for me personally last year,” the 30-year-old admitted. “Coming here and doing well was a great start, then making my international debut was something I’ve dreamed about for a long time.

“But now it’s time to turn our attentions to the season ahead, and we’re all excited to try and build on everything we did last year, which means an important final game in the Betfred Cup group stage on Saturday.”

Stephen Robinson’s side face Clyde in the final fixture of Group G, with top spot up for grabs.

“We have the main aim of going out there and finishing top of our group, but in the back of our minds we can’t get away from the Hibs game on the opening day of the league campaign, so we need to be sure to be fully ready for Saturday.

“A trip to Easter Road is a great way to start the season, at a good stadium against a good side, and it’ll be a big challenge for us. But coming off the back of the Scottish Cup final last season, the boys are hungry to get over the disappointments and get the feel-good factor back around the club.”

The disappointments of the 1-1 draw with Stranraer were put to bed with a convincing 2-0 victory over Championship aside Queen of the South.

And following the highs and lows of the 2017/18 campaign, the squad are eager to make big strides this term.

“I don’t necessarily think that we’re a side who sit down at the start of a campaign and pick our objectives. We take games one at a time and I think that’s what brought us the success we had last season.

“We’re in a good, competitive league, but we’ve got nothing to fear and deep down I know we’ll have a part of us aiming as high as possible this season. We know the cups can be huge for the supporters and for the momentum it brings the club as a whole, but the league is something we’ll obviously be particularly focussed on.”

The Northern Irishman was subject to a lot of transfer speculation after such impressive performances for the club last season, but it didn’t distract the stopper from his goals.

And two goals in particular lie away from the football pitch.

“I always want to make my family proud,” the father of two said. “I’ve obviously got a daughter and just recently had a son, and that just adds to that special bond you have with your children.

“It makes things like football seem so insignificant at times, and that’s why I make all the sacrifices I do, to try and give them the best life possible.”

But sometimes parenthood isn’t all that plain sailing, Trevor joked: “When Rex was born he made us wait. He was eleven days late and those eleven days felt like eleven months at times! But it was well worth it.”

Amid the hectic season enjoyed by the ‘Well stopper in the last year, both on and off the pitch, Trevor allowed himself some pause for thought in the small break he had.

“The break allowed me to sit down and reflect on what I’d achieved last season,” he revealed. “I don’t allow myself to do that during the season or after particular matches, so it was nice for me to sit down, have a beer, and look back on it all fondly.

“But to be honest, it’s only made me hungrier. There might have been points last season when I thought I was working as hard as I possibly could, but this pre-season I’ve been sure to give that bit extra and it’s made me hungrier and made me realise what I can achieve, and want to achieve in football.

“And now that I’m back for the season ahead, it’s made me determined to push on and have a successful season here at Motherwell.”

Go behind the scenes and see the game from a number of different angles in our first Story of the Match feature of the 2018/19 campaign.

Motherwell defeated Queen of the South 2-0 in the Betfred Cup on Tuesday night, setting up a final-day showdown with Clyde on Saturday.

Conor Sammon was at the double as Motherwell ran out 2-0 winners over Queen of the South.

The Betfred Cup group stage win means the Steelmen can secure top spot with a win against Clyde on Saturday.

Conor Sammon, Trevor Carson and Allan Campbell were pleased to get back to winning ways against the Queen of the South.

After a disappointing draw at Stranraer at the weekend, the Steelmen responded with a 2-0 victory, to put qualification in their own hands.

Stephen Robinson was pleased his team bounced back from their weekend disappointment with a win over Queen of the South.

The manager made five changes for the 2-0 win, which puts qualification for the Betfred Cup knockout stages back in their own hands.

A first half double from Conor Sammon and a good solid performance from Motherwell saw off the challenge of Group G leaders Queen of the South.

Only three games into the Betfred Cup, ‘Well faced a win-or-bust tie if they wanted to progress from the group and emulate last season’s terrific cup run.

And although the win was comfortable in the end, it took terrific saves from Trevor Carson at crucial stages to keep ‘Well on course to top the section.

The ‘Well ‘keeper had to produce a hat-trick of saves to prevent Queens taking the lead inside the first six minutes. Twice the ‘Well ‘keeper was at full stretch to deny the prolific Stephen Dobbie who looked certain to add to his impressive haul of seven cup goals.

An instinctive block from Carson then parried Callum Semple’s header from eight yards, as the Fir Park defenders struggled to cope with the lively Dumfries side.

Then, after Carl McHugh had steered Elliot Frear’s free kick wide of goal Motherwell, nicked the lead to settle the nerves.

Chris Cadden set off on a powerful run from his own half before sliding a pass in front of Sammon. Turning onto the pass the on-loan striker then cut the ball between the ‘keeper and his left hand post to open his Motherwell account.

As ‘Well began to dominate possession, Sammon might have grabbed a second after 26 minutes when his drive across goal was beyond the far post and Frear’s lunge.

However, Sammon was hungry for more and eight minutes from the break he doubled ‘Well’s advantage.

Richard Tait launched a long clearance downfield, which Ryan Bowman chased before heading the ball into Sammon’s path. One touch took him beyond the defender before he calmly side footed the ball beyond former ‘Well ‘keeper Alan Martin and low inside the post.

Sammon had an early chance to grab his hat-trick two minutes after the break but from a tight angle he lashed the ball over the bar.

A rash challenge on Bowman ended his participation but allowed Danny Johnson 30 minutes to make an impression.

However, the acclaim of both sets of fans came at the other end after 68 minutes when Carson produced a sensational save.

Dobbie’s header from six yards had the 447 Queen’s fans celebrating a goal, until the ‘Well ‘keeper leapt to his right and clawed the ball off his goal line to preserve his side’s two goal advantage.

And that save served to remind the ‘Well players that the game was still to be won, as they stepped up the play towards the visitors’ goal.

A great cut back from Alan Campbell set up Sammon but after his effort was blocked at the edge of the six yard box, Johnson’s attempt to force home the loose ball met a similar fate.

Nine minutes from time, Liam Grimshaw came within inches of a third goal when he met Cadden’s infield pass and his strike with the outside of his boot raced narrowly past.

Sammon was denied a hat-trick three minutes from time when Martin could only parry Cadden’s shot but the ‘keeper quickly reacted to block Sammon’s thumping effort from six yards.

The victory was enough to give Motherwell control of the section, in the knowledge that a win at Broadwood on Saturday would see them progress to the knockout stages.

Motherwell host Queen of the South in a must-win clash if the 2017/18 Betfred Cup finalists want to claim top spot in the group.

Here’s all the important information you need if you’re coming to the match.

You can pay at the gate

If you haven’t bought your ticket online in advance, don’t worry. You can pay at the gate for £12 for adults and £6 for concessions.

Come and have a bite to eat and a drink beforehand

The Cooper Bar and the Centenary Suite will be open for pre-match food and drink from 5.30pm.

Our usual pre-match hospitality will not be in operation. Food can be purchased before the game and access to the bars will be available before and after the match, as well as at half time.

Opposition fans are also welcome.

You can get your season card

If you plan to collect your season card in the hours before the match with Queen of the South, you can get it from the Centenary Suite from 5.30pm right up until kick off.

The ticket office will be open only for match ticket sales or for season ticket purchases.

Team news

Charles Dunne is to have scans on a groin injury but is likely to face four to six weeks on the sidelines. Craig Tanner remains on the sidelines long term.

Further reading

• In Numbers: Queen of the South come calling
• Cadden urges ‘Well to bounce back
• Need to know: A look at Queens
• Robinson expects better against Queens
• Scene setter: ‘Well host Doonhamers

Stephen Robinson is well aware of what is at stake when Queen of the South arrive at Fir Park on Tuesday. 

Nothing less than three points will do for the Steelmen in their bid to top Group G in the Betfred Cup, with the Doonhamers enjoying a perfect start in their opening three games.

And the ‘Well boss said: “It’s a game we want to win and need to win after Saturday’s result. Our decision making was poor and we didn’t look like ourselves.”

Motherwell host Queen of the South in a must-win clash for top spot in Group G of the Betfred Cup on Tuesday.

It is the first competitive meeting between the two sides since the Scottish Cup clash in 2004, where ‘Well won 3-2.

And in Gary Naysmith’s Doonhamers, the Steelmen face a tough task against the free-scoring side from the borders.

Table toppers

The Dumfries outfit currently sit at the summit of Group G after the Steelmen slipped to a 1-1 draw and shootout defeat against Stranraer.

Victories over Clyde, Stranraer and Edinburgh City mean Tuesday’s opponents would require at least a draw to finish top of the table and progress as the victors of the group.

Their midweek trip to Fir Park is their fourth and final fixture of the group stage, and the Doonhamers have a very good chance of progressing to the knockout stages regardless of Tuesday’s result.

Deadly Dobbie

With seven goals to his name in three games, frontman Stephen Dobbie has started the 2018/19 campaign in scintillating form, and is the top scorer in this year’s Betfred Cup so far.

Simon Murray finished the 2017/18 tournament as top scorer with eight goals, meaning Dobbie is just one short of equalling that tally in the group stage alone.

The former Swansea and Crystal Palace man has continued his fine form from last term, when he scored 27 goals in all competitions.

Statement of intent

With an incredible return of 12 goals in their opening three fixtures, Queen of the South are far and away the leading scorers in the league cup so far.

Add to that an impressive two clean sheets, and the Championship outfit have given themselves huge momentum for their final fixture in Group G.

It is in stark contrast to their cup campaign last season, where Queens failed to make it out of their group.