Stuart McCall might just have hit the nail on the head when suggesting his Motherwell side will use the advantage of playing on home soil at Fir Park ahead of their Scottish Cup quarter-final replay against holders Dundee United (Motherwell 7/5 To Win in 90 Minutes).
The Steelmen have had the edge over the Terrors this season after recording back-to-back home wins over them in October and they were unfortunate not to win in the first tie at Tannadice with John Sutton’s brace (13/8 Anytime Goalscorer) almost taking them through.
However, their attempts to win the replay and set up a winnable semi-final showdown against St Johnstone, have been hit by injury problems.
Captain Stephen Craigan suffered a hip injury during Northern Ireland’s European Championship qualifier against Slovenia on Tuesday evening, while defender Steve Saunders is out with an ankle injury.
Steve Hammell and Francis Jeffers could face late fitness tests and McCall is wary of not bringing players back too soon and risking further problems.
However, the three-time Scottish Cup winner with Rangers is hopeful of making progress.
He said: “I am a lot more confident given we are playing them at home. We have beaten them here twice this season already.
“The last time the lads played here they came off to a standing ovation (against Celtic) after putting in an outstanding performance. So that is what we want to re-create again.”
United chief Peter Houston is expecting a long night at Fir Park as he has told his players to prepare for extra time and a penalty shoot-out as they look to go through to the last four (Dundee United Evens To Qualify).
The Terrors are in-form at the moment, having gone eight games without defeat with five wins from their last six.
However, their bid to go through and stay on course to retain their crown at Hampden Park in May (11/2 Scottish Cup Winner) is not helped by the loss of Morgaro Gomis due to suspension, while Garry Kenneth is out.
But, Craig Conway is available again and Scott Severin may return from long-term injury.
“Going to Fir Park has never been easy and our record there this season is that we’ve lost two, so we’ve got a lot to work on and a lot to play for,” Houston told STV.
Therefore, a close game looks to be the order of the day and it looks like Motherwell could just about hold the edge with the backing of the Fir Park faithful behind them.
Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 23/10 and then Motherwell to Qualify @ 8/11
Value Bet: John Sutton First Goal Draw 1-1 Scorecast @ 28/1
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