Hearts v Motherwell: Match preview and probable line-ups
Kyle Lafferty is improving his fitness after a virus restricted him to a late substitute appearance against Hamilton, and he could be pushing for a start as a result.
Craig Levein will have to shuffle his pack once more after Jamie Brandon’s red card last week against Hamilton, with Connor Randall likely to start at right back with Michael Smith on the left.
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Hide AdAshley Smith-Brown, Malaury Martin and Rory Currie are all still out for the Jambos.
Smith-Brown is still nursing a groin/pelvis injury, while Martin has a troublesome groin niggle. Currie was ruled out for the season after sustaining a serious knee injury while playing for the Under-20s.
Motherwell have been dealt a blow with the news that Louis Moult and Peter Hartley will both miss the trip to the Capital.
Moult faces a month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury while Hartley has a foot problem. Stephen Robinson may opt to deploy Carl McHugh in his back three, with Ellis Plummer yet to make a first team appearance for the Steelmen in the league and just a 16-minute substitute appearance in the league cup.
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Hide AdUp top Robinson could call on Alex Fisher, although the striker is yet to find the net this season. George Newell could also be in contention.
Goalkeeper Trevor Carson will face a late fitness test ahead of the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership clash.
Motherwell have only won one of their last six matches - a 2-0 win against Aberdeen in the League Cup - while Hearts are winless in six, having drawn three and lost three.
Last five meetings: Motherwell 2-1 Hearts; Motherwell 0-3 Hearts; Hearts 3-0 Motherwell; Motherwell 1-3 Hearts; Motherwell 1-0 Hearts.
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Hide AdLikely Hearts team (4-2-3-1): McLaughlin; Brandon, Hughes, Berra, M Smith; Cowie, Djoum/Buaben; Milinkovic, Walker, Goncalves; Lafferty. Subs from: Hamilton, Noring, Nowak, Baur, Grzelak, Djoum/Buaben, Henderson, Callachan, Moore, Keena, Stockton.
Likely Motherwell team: (3-5-2): Carson; McHugh, Kipre, Dunne; Cadden, Bigirimana, Rose, Campbell, Tait; Bowman, Fisher. Subs from: Griffiths, Hammell, Plummer, Frear, Petravicius, Grimshaw, Fisher, Newell.
Referee: Andrew Dallas
Kick-off: 3pm
Odds: Hearts 5/4 Draw 12/5 Motherwell 13/5 (Odds correct at the time of writing)