Hearts vs Motherwell Prediction, Betting Tips & Preview

Preview

Jon Tait Jan 08, 2016 @ 10:03 am

Motherwell are the form team going into the clash at Tynecastle against third-placed Hearts.

Forget the fact that ‘Well are eighth in the table – their recent turnaround in fortunes under boss Mark McGhee has been stunning and a surprise could be on the cards here.

Motherwell have embarked on a six game unbeaten run since drawing 2-2 with their hosts at Fir Park back in November and McGhee was named Manager of the Month for December.

They thumped Highlanders Cove Rangers 5-0 in the Scottish Cup last weekend and while there were no surprises there, it was a sign of the continued confidence in the side that they rattled in four during the first half and took their foot off the gas after that. Job done.

Motherwell have beaten Dundee, Celtic and St. Johnstone in recent weeks and they will be right up for the game in the Capital.

But Hearts, who celebrated a 1-0 Cup success over fancied Aberdeen themselves last Saturday, seem to have got back to winning ways after a string of draws where they couldn’t finish sides off – but don’t rule out the possibility of this one ending all-square. In fact it has a draw written all over it.

Hearts trail the second-placed Dons by six points and could do with the victory as they attempt to narrow that gap and maintain a level of pressure while ‘Well have rocketed up from the relegation play-off place to within striking distance of the top six.

And with the sides directly above and below them – Dundee and Partick Thistle respectively – also meeting on Saturday, they have a great chance to put some daylight between themselves and the sides that are now scrapping it out to avoid that dreaded play-off place and a probable meeting against either Rangers or Hibs to maintain their place in the top flight of Scottish football. And nobody fancies that high-pressured, high stakes game much.

Hearts have picked up just eight points from their last seven games and although they’ve only been beaten once – by Aberdeen – they’d only narrowly beaten basement side Dundee United before their Cup success so boss Robbie Neilson needs to see them start stringing a run of wins together if they are to maintain their interest at the top of the table and prevent the season slipping into mediocrity – but I suspect he’ll be targeting a run in the Scottish Cup as a priority now.

St. Johnstone are six points behind the Jambos in fourth but have a game in hand so he’ll be looking over his shoulder at other results and would see a victory in this game as a big success to build from.

Motherwell’s dressing room is bouncing at the present time and they won’t be intimidated by the trip to Edinburgh as they can’t wait for each game to come around when they’re on such a good streak.

But the draw does look like a decent bet in this one.

Hearts Stats W10 D7 L4

Recent Form LDDWDW

Motherwell Stats W13 D4 L4

Recent Form WWWDDW

Head-to-Head record:

28/11/2015 Motherwell 2 Hearts 2

12/08/2015 Hearts 2 Motherwell 0

01/03/2014 Motherwell 4 Hearts 1

11/01/2014 Hearts 0 Motherwell 1

19/10/2013 Motherwell 2 Hearts 1

Possible Line-ups

Hearts (4-4-2) – Alexander, McGhee, Ozturk, Rossi Branco, Oshinwa, Nicholson, Abankwah, Djoum, King, Sow, Reilly.

Motherwell (4-4-2) – Ripley, Law, Hall, McManus, Hammell, Ainsworth, Lasley, Pearson, Johnson, McDonald, Moult.

Injuries/ Suspension

Hearts: Walker (inj), El Hassnaoui (inj), Gomis (susp).

Motherwell: Chalmers (inj).

League Positions