It is a must-win game for Motherwell on Saturday if they wish to be in the top half when the Scottish Premiership splits after next weekend.
They travel to face Dundee, and just a single point claimed from the Dark Blues would rule that out for the visitors.
Match preview
With three games remaining before the Scottish Premiership splits, the chance to finish in the top half is very much in Dundee's hands, but they do have three teams chasing them down.
Aberdeen, Motherwell and Hibernian are going to push them all the way, but securing just one point in the next week would ensure that neither the Dons nor the Steelmen could catch them.
While the Dark Blues still have to play Rangers and Aberdeen themselves, getting that out of the way this weekend would be the ideal situation for them, especially since they could still end up finishing in the top four.
Even though Dundee need to have one eye on what is happening behind them in the league table, they sit just six points behind Kilmarnock which is a gap they could shrink.
Tony Docherty's men picked up three points during their most recent outing against St Johnstone, and they do head into this weekend with a three-match undefeated streak.
However, the Dark Blues have failed to defeat Motherwell in both of their previous meetings this season, with each game resulting in a draw.
Of course, that is a result that the visitors can ill-afford this time around, as it would guarantee they finish in the bottom half of the table this season, placing pressure on the squad to deliver this time out.
The last match between these teams was a thrilling six-goal encounter where Conor Wilkinson rescued a point for the Steelmen with a 97th-minute goal, but Motherwell would no doubt prefer a less eventful match on Saturday.
While Stuart Kettlewell's men drew their most recent outing, they did pick up a surprise victory in their previous away game against Rangers.
Considering they are only six points above the relegation playoff spot, another positive result is needed for Motherwell whether they finish in the top half or not, simply to provide some breathing room for the remaining games.
Team News
Jordan McGhee and Ryan Howley were able to return from injury during Dundee's most recent match, while Zach Robinson was part of the matchday squad, even though he did not feature in the game.
Trevor Carson is also available once again after his own fitness issues, but Diego Pineda, Josh Mulligan, Owen Beck and Curtis Main do remain concerns.
Lennon Miller was able to overcome an injury he picked up on international duty to feature for Motherwell against St Mirren, and he will be an option for Kettlewell this weekend.
On the other hand, Harry Paton and Jon Obika are not expected to be available due to injuries, with Callum Slattery and Barry Maguire also on the shelf.
Dundee possible starting lineup:
McCracken; Portales, Shaughnessy, Donelly; McGhee, Cameron, Sylla, McCowan, Dodgson; Tiffoney, Bakayoko
Motherwell possible starting lineup:
Kelly; Casey, Mugabi, Blaney; O'Donnell, Halliday, Miller, Spittal, McGinn; Bair, Vale
We say: Dundee 2-1 Motherwell
There is not much to split these two teams in the league table, and that in itself should lead to a close match as neither will want to slip up.
However, it could be the end of the line as far as Motherwell's top-half hopes are concerned, as Dundee should have enough quality to take all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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