St. Mirren vs Motherwell: Odds, Lineups, Predictions, Preview

Explore Ladbrokes' detailed preview for St. Mirren vs Motherwell in the Premiership on match day 2. Stats, odds, predictions, and line-ups for the 15:00 BST match.

• Fixture: St. Mirren vs Motherwell

• Date: Saturday, 09 August 2025

• Kick-off: 15:00 BST

• Venue: The Smisa Stadium

St. Mirren’s 1-0 loss to Celtic in game week 1 showcased their defensive resilience, with goalkeeper Shamal George making key saves and Tunmise Sobowale thwarting a late chance, but they lacked attacking threat with only 4 shots. Motherwell’s 1-1 draw against Rangers highlighted their fighting spirit, with Euan Longelo’s late equaliser securing a point despite 38% possession. St. Mirren’s home advantage at The Smisa Stadium and disciplined 5-3-2 setup could give them an edge, but Motherwell’s attacking flair, led by Longelo and Stamatelopoulos, makes this a tight contest. Expect both teams to score in a closely fought match.

Match Prediction: St. Mirren 2-1 Motherwell

St. Mirren’s 2025/26 Premiership campaign began with a narrow 1-0 loss to Celtic, where they held firm defensively with a 5-3-2 formation, limiting Celtic to one late goal despite 76% possession against them. Shamal George’s saves and Tunmise Sobowale’s defensive work were standout moments, but their 4 shots (2 on target) showed a need for more attacking potency. Their League Cup form, including a 2-1 win over Ayr United, suggests they can create chances at home.

Recent Results:

• (L) 0-1 vs Celtic (03 Aug 2025, Premiership)

• (W) League Cup group stage (e.g., 2-1 vs Ayr United, July 2025)

Motherwell opened their 2025/26 season with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Rangers at Fir Park, equalising late through Euan Longelo (assisted by E. Just) despite being outpossessed (38%). Their 17 shots (5 on target) showed attacking intent, but defensive vulnerabilities were exposed by Rangers’ early goal. Their League Cup form, including a 2-2 draw vs Clyde and a 2-1 win vs Peterhead, underlines their scoring potential, but they’ll need to tighten up defensively against St. Mirren’s compact setup.

Recent Results:

• (D) 1-1 vs Rangers (02 Aug 2025, Premiership)

• (W) League Cup group stage (e.g., 2-1 vs Peterhead, July 2025)

• Motherwell 2-2 St. Mirren (15 Mar 2025, Premiership)

• St. Mirren 0-1 Motherwell (07 Dec 2024, Premiership)

• Motherwell 2-1 St. Mirren (28 Sep 2024, Premiership)

  Motherwell have won two of the last three meetings, with one draw, giving them a slight edge. However, the 2-2 draw in March 2025 shows St. Mirren’s ability to compete, especially at home.

• No injuries reported

• Aston Oxborough (Thigh, doubtful)

5-3-2: George; Richardson, Fraser, Gogić, King, John; Phillips, O'Hara, Idowu; Mandron, Ayunga

St. Mirren’s 5-3-2, used against Celtic, focuses on defensive solidity with Gogić and Fraser anchoring the backline. O'Hara and Phillips will control midfield, while Mandron and Ayunga aim to exploit counter-attacks and set pieces at home.

4-2-3-1: Ward; Koutroumbis, Gordon, McGinn, Longelo; Watt, Slattery; Maswanhise, Fadinger, Just; Stamatelopoulos

Motherwell’s 4-2-3-1, seen against Rangers, emphasises midfield stability with Watt and Slattery, while Longelo and Maswanhise provide width. Stamatelopoulos will lead the attack, looking to capitalise on St. Mirren’s defensive lapses.

• Tunmise Sobowale (St. Mirren) vs Euan Longelo (Motherwell): Sobowale’s defensive heroics against Celtic will face Longelo’s attacking threat, seen in his goal vs Rangers.

• Mark O'Hara (St. Mirren) vs Callum Slattery (Motherwell): This midfield battle will dictate the game’s tempo, with O'Hara’s leadership facing Slattery’s energy.

• Shamal George (St. Mirren): His key saves against Celtic highlight his importance in goal.

• Euan Longelo (Motherwell): His late equaliser vs Rangers makes him a key attacking threat.

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.