UPDATE: The manager will have to serve the first of a two match ban on Saturday following the outcome of a discplinary hearing on Thursday. The events at Dundee at the beginning of November resulted in "offensive, abusing and/or insulting language".
Only three points separate Kilmarnock in 6th place from Inverness in 12th and the upshot is a seven team scramble intent on escaping the bottom two slots at the season’s end.
Killie have a two point advantage as we approach Saturday’s fixture but neither side has been able to build a productive run of results of late. Motherwell have two wins from the last nine outings while the visitors have one in four.
The hard luck story of last week’s close encounter with Celtic should instil belief in McGhee’s squad as they face up to the busy festive schedule. However, following this fixture we have four away trips and one home match to come before the January shutdown and that raises the stakes for this weekend’s game.
Cadden is recovering from the calf strain that caused his substitution last outing and we won’t want to be without his services against Kilmarnock. Moult will be looking to add to his growing tally and he’ll find McDonald a willing partner.
Kilmarnock put their players in a deep freeze during the week in the hope that they will gain an advantage. We’ll see. They have to lift themselves after a 5-1 thumping in Aberdeen on Tuesday and it’s understandable that the manager feels the need to distract their thoughts.
Steven MacLean will be in charge of this one and it is likely that he’ll see home advantage deliver three points to Motherwell following a 3-1 triumph.
Remember the last meeting with Kilmarnock?