It’s two trips to Fir Park in just four days for Dundee United as they seek to step up their league challenge and make the last four of the Co-operative Insurance Cup.
According to skipper Jon Daly that’s right up their street.
The only defeats United have suffered away from home this year have been at Celtic and Rangers so tackling anyone on the road holds few fears for them even if Daly admits the Steelmen present a formidable challenge.
“Motherwell at their place will be tough matches,” he said.
“They are doing really well and we’ll have to be at the top of our game.
“But our away form is good and we want to keep that going along with our decent cup record of the past couple of seasons.
“First things first though. We need to try and get three points out of Saturday.
“It’s hard to put your finger on why we are so good away from home.
“Possibly we’re suited to counter attacking, letting the home side come at us and hit them on the break.”
Daly will feature this afternoon despite the eyebrow gash he sustained against Celtic.Sore”It was a sore one and when the boys tell you it’s the worst they’ve seen that hardly fills you with confidence,” he recalled.
“My missus was at the game but fortunately she’d gone to the toilet when it happened which was just as well as she’d probably have panicked.
“Our doctor, Phyllis Windsor, did a good job on the cut and it’s not too bad now.”
Missing from the United squad this Saturday will be central defender Darren Dods.
“Dodsy’s knee is giving him a bit of a problem so I have sent him for a scan,” said United boss Peter Houston.
“No matter what we are doing it is not helping so maybe there is a wee bit of cartilage there but we’ll wait and see.
“That leaves us short of centre-backs again so the biggest thing for me is keeping Garry Kenneth and Scott Severin fit.”
Danny Swanson will also sit this one out but could make an appearance against Hibs at Tannadice next weekend.
“I could push it and put Danny on the bench tomorrow but I don’t want to do that,” said Houston.
“But I think he might get a sniff next week against Hibs, perhaps as a sub.”GlutWell versus United is a fixture that has thrown up a glut of goals in the past and Houston believes today’s game could do the same.
“I think both clubs have done really well over the last year.
“I am expecting a right tough game but I would like to think that my team, coming off a defeat against Celtic, will be at it.
“Games between Motherwell and ourselves are usually close and produce goals. I think it could be a repeat this time around.”
Marc Fitzpatrick is back in the Steelmen’s squad.
The midfielder has recovered from a knee injury and came through a practice match in midweek unscathed.
Esteban Casagolda, who has recovered from knee surgery, is out for another couple of weeks.
Houston has declined to comment on a report that he is in trouble with the SFA for his remarks regarding referee Dougie McDonald in the wake of last Sunday’s clash with Celtic.
Houston claimed that McDonald is always quick to awards penalties against the Tangerines.
“I have not heard anything so I am not going to comment on something that hasn’t happened yet,” said Houston.