Simo Valakari set for emotional return to Fir Park this afternoon.

St. Johnstone manager Valakari takes his team to Motherwell this afternoon as he returns to the club he spent four years at as a player.

The hosts

Stuart Kettlewell’s side narrowly missed out on a League Cup final place after a late winner sent them out of the competition to Rangers last weekend. The Steelmen have been going strong in the league, sitting in fifth spot with 16 points to their name.

Motherwell look set to be without both captain and vice captain as Paul McGinn and Stephen O’Donnell are still on the treatment table. 18-year-old Lennon Miller captained the side in last weekends cup tie so it is expected he will take the armband once again.

The teenager has been a standout in a strong Motherwell side this season. The Scottish sensation has equipped himself beautifully in his third full season at senior level and continues to improve. Showing a touch of brilliance in the midfield, he has been a key influence in how Well’ have preformed this season. The youngster has been highly tipped for a move in the summer, with several premier league clubs keeping an eye on him.

The visitors

St. Johnstone come into the fixture on the back of two defeats on the spin, dropping points to Hearts and St. Mirren. Newly appointed Simo Valakari had made an impact with wins against Ross County and Dundee but questions are being asked already as The Saints are starting to slide down the table.

The Saints can be a serious goal threat though, striker Benji Kimpioka has had a brilliant start to life in his first full season with the club, netting five goals already this campaign. Aside from Uche Ikpeazu, St. Johnstone are largely at full strength today as they try and get themselves away from the bottom end of the table.

Previous meetings

The clubs have met once already this season with Motherwell taking all three points, claiming a 2-1 victory. That was a St. Johnstone side managed by Craig Levein however, with the manager being sacked after a poor run of form.

The last meeting on this ground though was won by The Saints however, prevailing 2-1 in the last fixture of last season.

Predicted lineups

Motherwell:
Oxborough; Balmer, Gordon, Casey; Kaleta, Wilson, Halliday, Seddon; Miller; Stamatelopoulos, Maswanhise

St Johnstone:
Sinclair; Wright, Sanders, Cameron, Douglas; Carey, Sprangler, Holt; Clark; Sidibeh, Kimpioka