Preview - Hearts v Motherwell

We managed to avoid the embarrassment of an extra time session against Hamilton Accies on Tuesday by two minutes. We also shed a handful of goals against a Dundee United side which had been suffering from a goal drought until they visited Fir Park. Now we face a Tarts team which sits atop the SPL. Some change from last season when they earned a rightful place on the Fir Park mantelpiece.

If the notion of bogey teams has any truth then they must be more than a little concerned about our visit. Although they seem to be transforming into an outpost of Lithuanian football, they retain the same defensive set up as last year. They will remember all too well the torrid time dished out by a Motherwell team which was full of belief. If we can manage to score the first goal then their new found confidence may be rocked.

The changes to their attack are of more concern. Although Craigan will return after his midweek suspension, our back four will still be far from settled. To add to the confusion we are still trying to come to terms with Marshall’s injury and the choice of keeper available to the manager will add further to the unsettled rearguard. We will be under the cosh for much of the game and determined defence will be needed.

Motherwell are around 6/1 for a win and only those with a touching, if misguided, faith will risk any stake money on such an outcome. The safe bet is for a Hearts win, 2-0.