Dundee United will seek to continue their fine form against Motherwell when the sides renew hostilities at Tannadice on Saturday.
United have claimed three wins and a draw from their last five matches against the Steelmen, dating back to the start of last season — conceding just two goals in the process.
Ross County are the only club United have picked up more points against (11) over the same timeframe.
Indeed, matches against the North Lanarkshire outfit provided the spark for the Terrors to secure European qualification last term, ending a decade-long continental exile.
United won just five league games in the second half of the campaign — and two of them were against Motherwell.
The Terrors did have to ride their luck on their last visit to Fir Park, narrowly escaping with a 0-0 draw. Carljohan Eriksson saved a Kevin van Veen penalty, the hosts struck the bar and somehow failed to convert any of their chances from an xG of 3.28.Â
Dig in
United boss Liam Fox reckons that hard fought draw underlines the tough task ahead for the Tangerines.
“Motherwell have had an up and down season — but that’s the league we are in,” said Fox. “On each day everyone can beat everyone else.
“Stevie Hammell went in and got a boost straight away, now they have had a few defeats.
“That’s what happens in this league; teams are in a rut one week, then win back-to-back games and are flying again. Everyone has been through it because the margins are so small.
“On our previous experience down there (at Fir Park) we had to work very hard to get a point. They made us really dig in.Â
“They have decent speed and movement in their team so they are dangerous but we are back at home and go into it positively.”
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