Motherwell v St Mirren: Kettlewell says on-form side will be in a battle for points

Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell expects a battle against St Mirren at Fir Park this afternoon, but says they go into the Premiership clash on a run of form.

The Lanarkshire side are sixth in the Premiership, and in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals against Rangers next month, on a run of four wins in five games.

Motherwell dropped points as they lost 2-1 to high-flying Aberdeen at Pittodrie on September 14, but cup wins over Kilmarnock and Dundee United have earned them a date at Hampden against Philippe Clement’s side on November 3.

League wins have been notched against Hearts and St Johnstone in that period, as they look ahead to the visit of the Paisley side today.

Kettlewell said: “I didn’t bother too much with the [Premier Sports Cup semi-final] draw on Sunday, because it’s always going to be what it will be.

“My focus from Saturday morning was getting out to watch St Mirren against Hearts (2-1 Saints win), and really starting to focus on the league campaign again.

“I think we owe it to ourselves and everybody else that supports us and backs us to get straight on the horse again to make sure we’re ready for the league campaign.

“I think if you look at all our games against St Mirren last year – I know there’s a lot of different players on both sides, but the games were incredibly close, only separated by a goal. On a head-to-head basis it was very close between the teams.

“There were one or two games that we didn’t pick up maximum points from, that we would make a case for being the better team, and there were games where St Mirren would make that case.

“I think it just points in the direction of it being very close.

“I watched them last weekend, I’ve watched them a few times this season.

“They’re a big, physical