Still seeking their first Scottish Premiership victory of the new season, newly-promoted Kilmarnock play host to Motherwell at Rugby Park on Saturday.

The visitors, meanwhile, have won three of their first four top-flight matches this term including two away wins against St Mirren and Aberdeen.

Match preview

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes pictured in November 22, 2020 © Reuters

After drawing their opening league game back in the top flight against Dundee United, Kilmarnock have since suffered three successive league defeats without scoring a goal.

Defeats to Glaswegian giants Rangers and Celtic were expected, but they were followed by a disappointing loss away against 10-man Ross County last weekend.

Ross Callachan was dismissed for the hosts in the 81st minute, but they were still able to net a winner five minutes later courtesy of close-range strike from Owura Edwards.

Goals have been hard to come by for Derek McInnes's side, who struggled to pose a real threat in the final third last weekend, boasting only two of their 14 shots on target.

Kilmarnock are now one of only two Premiership teams, along with Dundee United, who are yet to pick up maximum points this season, and claiming a victory on Saturday could prove challenging as they have lost four of their last six league meetings against Motherwell.

The Steelmen, meanwhile, have made a strong start to the new campaign under new head coach Steven Hammell, winning three of their opening four league matches.

A 3-2 away victory against Aberdeen was followed by a slender 1-0 home win over Livingston last weekend, with Kevin van Veen converting from the penalty spot midway through the second half, shortly before Dylan Bahamboula was sent off for the visitors.

Motherwell are currently sitting in third place in the Premiership table behind both Celtic and Rangers in the top two, and considering their favourable-looking fixture schedule in the next few weeks, Hammell and co will be confident of continuing their bright start to the season.

While Motherwell have performed well in recent meetings against Kilmarnock, they head into Saturday's game after losing all three league visits to newly-promoted teams last season.

Kilmarnock Scottish Premiership form:

Kilmarnock form (all competitions):

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:

Motherwell form (all competitions):

Team News

Celtic's Liel Abada in action with Motherwell's Nathan McGinley on February 6, 2022 © Reuters

Kilmarnock winger Jordan Jones has suffered a setback in his recovery from a thigh injury, while Jeriel Dorsett (knee), Scott Robinson (heel) and Zach Hemming (groin) also remain on the treatment table.

McInnes is unlikely to make too many changes to his starting lineup, but Fraser Murray could be recalled at left wing-back at the expense of Kerr McInroy.

As for Motherwell, left-backs Jake Carroll and Nathan McGinley are both ruled out with injuries, with the former set for several months on the sidelines.

Stephen O'Donnell is therefore set to continue at left-back, joining Ricki Lamie, Sondre Solholm Johansen and Paul McGinn in the back four.

Van Veen, who has scored three goals in his opening four league games of the new season, is expected to lead the line, with Connor Shields and Blair Spittal set to provide support in attack.

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
Walker; Wright, Taylor, Mayo; Alebiosu, Power, Polworth, Murray; McKenzie; Lafferty, Shaw

Motherwell possible starting lineup:
Kelly; McGinn, Sondre Johansen, Lamie, O'Donnell; Cornelius, Goss, Slattery; Shields, Van Veen, Spittal

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We say: Kilmarnock 1-2 Motherwell

The two sides head into this weekend's game in contrasting form, with Kilmarnock desperate to secure their first three points of the new season.

The home crowd at Rugby Park are sure to spur McInnes's men on, but we feel that Motherwell will continue their strong start by claiming a slender away victory.

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