Top-flight Motherwell are set to host Championship side Partick Thistle at Fir Park in their fourth and final group stage game of Scotland's League Cup on Sunday.
After three games each, the home team are first in their group with eight points and can be overtaken by both Partick Thistle and Clyde if results go against them, while the visitors are second with six points and could be overtaken by Clyde or Montrose.
Match preview
Although Motherwell are not guaranteed to finish first and qualify automatically for the next round of the League Cup, they only need to draw to ensure a place in the top two.
If they were to finish second, then they would have to hope that they are one of the competition's three best runners-up in order to reach the round of 16.
In the group stage, the Well have scored seven goals and conceded two times, with none of their four opponents bettering this defensive record, although Clyde and Partick Thistle have scored nine and 11 goals respectively.
Last time out against Clyde on July 20, Motherwell emerged as 3-1 victors thanks to goals from Moses Ebiye, Davor Zdravkovski and Lennon Miller.
Last term, manager Stuart Kettlewell's side finished first in their League Cup group with 11 points from four games.
However, Motherwell did exit the competition in the round of 16 after suffering a 1-0 defeat against St Mirren on August 19.
Opponents Partick Thistle are level on points with third-placed Clyde, but they have a goal difference of six in contrast to Clyde's four.
The Jags started their League Cup campaign with 3-2 and 6-0 wins against Edinburgh City and Montrose respectively.
However, in their third game on July 23, Thistle lost 3-2 to Clyde, and manager Kris Doolan will be disappointed that his side conceded the third goal in the 86th minute.
Doolan has been in charge since February 2023, and in his career as a player he made 332 appearances for the Jags.
Last season, his side missed out on promotion to the top flight after losing on penalties to Raith Rovers in their semi-final playoff match.
A win on Sunday would guarantee a place in the top two, but if they were to draw and win on penalties against Motherwell, then they would have to hope that Clyde either lose after 90 minutes or lose on penalties.
If Thistle were to draw and lose on penalties, there is a small chance that Montrose could overtake them, but given that their foes have a goal difference of zero it is highly unlikely.
Team News
Unfortunately for Motherwell, midfielder Harry Paton is set to miss at least 14 weeks of action after undergoing ankle surgery.
Paton picked up the injury on July 20 in Motherwell's 3-1 victory against Clyde in the League Cup.
Callum Slattery will also be unavailable for Sunday's clash, while new signing Johnny Koutroumbis is still sidelined due to a calf injury.
More positively, even though Sunday could come too early for Ross Callachan and Sam Nicolson, boss Kettlewell did hint that the pair could soon return to action after making extensive progress in their recovery from injury.
As for the visitors, goalkeeper David Mitchell was subbed off in the 32nd minute for Mason McCready, and he is a doubt for Sunday's game.
Striker Brian Graham has scored in all three of his side's Scottish League Cup fixtures this season and is sure to start once more.
Motherwell possible starting lineup:
Hegyi; O'Donnell, Gordon, Casey, Blaney; Wilson, Halliday, Zdravkovski; Miller; Ebiye, Robinson
Partick Thistle possible starting lineup:
McCready; Williams, Murihead, Ashcroft, O'Reilly; McBeth, Crawford; Chalmers, Turner, Fitzpatrick; Graham
We say: Motherwell 2-1 Partick Thistle
Although it would not be a surprise to see Partick Thistle generate good chances in front of goal, it is difficult to ignore the fact they are playing a top-flight side.
Additionally, Motherwell have only conceded two goals in the group stage so far, and it is this defensive record that should see them come into the game as favourites.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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