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St Mirren to win is 31/20.

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Match preview

Sligo Rovers’ Kevin van Veen (left) holds off Sligo Rovers’ Shane Blaney during the UEFA Europa Conference League second qualifying round first leg match at Fir Park, Motherwell. Picture date: Thursday July 21, 2022. 2JJ08KH Sligo Rovers’ Kevin van Veen (left) holds off Sligo Rovers’ Shane Blaney during the UEFA Europa Conference League second qualifying round first leg match at Fir Park, Motherwell. Picture date: Thursday July 21, 2022. (Alamy Stock Photo)

The Scottish Premiership season hasn’t even kicked off yet, but Motherwell’s fanbase are already disheartened by their team.

Having finished fifth last season, the Well returned to UEFA competition, entering the Europa Conference League in the second qualifying round.

The Steelmen were drawn against Sligo Rovers, which many perceived to be a winnable tie, but this certainly was not the case.

Having slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Fir Park, Graham Alexander’s side traveled to Ireland on Thursday needing to show a reaction.

Across the two ties, the Well mustered just 11 shots on target, rarely troubling Sligo’s goalkeeper.

As a result, on Friday afternoon, Alexander was sacked as manager; not the ideal start to the season to say the least.

Here, St Mirren will be looking to take advantage and make their extra freshness count.

The Buddies finished ninth last season, ending up just nine points clear of the relegation play-off place.

After Stephen Robinson took over in late-February, they actually lost seven of 12 league matches, winning just three.

So, the fact the Saints have begun the new campaign by being knocked out of the League Cup is far from ideal.

They were beaten by both Arbroath and Airdrieonians, thereby finishing third in Group E.

Thus, a home win at the Simple Digital Arena is vital for St Mirren.

St Mirren team news

St. Mirren v Celtic – Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership

Jak Alnwick, Conor McCarthy, Alan Power and Kyle McAllister have all left the club this summer.

Trevor Carson is the new goalkeeper while Declan Gallagher, Keanu Baccus, Toyosi Olusanya, Mark O’Hara and Jonah Ayunga could also make their league debuts for the club.

Motherwell team news

Motherwell v Rangers – cinch Premiership – Fir Park Motherwell’s Bevis Mugabi (centre) celebrates with his teammates after scoring their side’s first goal of the game during the cinch Premiership match at Fir Park, Motherwell. Picture date: Sunday October 31, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Holmes/PA Images via Getty Images)

Paul McGinn, Blair Spittal and Josh Morris are the new arrivals while Kaiyne Woolery has departed for Sakaryaspor.

Scotland international Stephen O’Donnell didn’t feature at all against Sligo Rovers which is bizarre to say the least.

He’ll be hoping the change of management will see him return to the XI.

Kevin van Veen has extended his stay in North Lanarkshire and they’re likely to be reliant on him for goals again