Back Motherwell to see off rivals Hamilton

Kick-offs 3pm Saturday

Motherwell have been in fine form of late and should have too much for Lanarkshire rivals Hamilton at New Douglas Park.

Led by their talismanic forward Louis Moult, who has netted nine goals this season, the Fir Park side have suffered just one defeat in seven games.

Manager Steve Robinson appears to have assembled a squad of hard-working professionals.

He's been getting the best out of talented duo Peter Hartley and Ryan Bowman and in Scotland Under-21 midfielders Allan Campbell and Chris Cadden he has two exciting young talents at his disposal.

In contrast, the wheels have come off Accies' charge after an excellent start to the season. A run of four defeats in a row tells its own story and the absence of playmaker Ali Crawford for a month through injury is a massive blow.

Well have won on two of their last three visits to New Douglas Park and they are good value for another success.

Dundee United are finally up to speed after a sluggish start to the season and can put the manager-of-the-month curse on to Livingston's David Hopkin.

Hopkin has helped Livi punch above their weight, but they face a test against the Ladbrokes Championship's form team who are unbeaten in six outings.

Manager Ray McKinnon warned his fans they wouldn't see the real United until an alarmingly long injury list had cleared and that has proved to be the case.

Their strikeforce of Scott McDonald and James Keatings are on fire and with Fraser Fyvie pulling the strings in midfield, United should win in West Lothian.

Football tipping columns

Mark Langdon

Dan Childs

Kevin Pullein

McKinnon was allowed the luxury of resting all his big guns in last week's Challenge Cup win over Linfield and they were superb in their last league game when they blew Dunfermline away on their own patch.

The William Hill Scottish Cup second round can be a minefield for punters, featuring unfamiliar teams such as Colville Park and Lothian Thistle HV - both of whom are no mugs incidentally.

But Aberdeen juniors side Banks O'Dee are worth chancing to beat Lowland League side Selkirk on the artificial pitch of Spain Park.

The North Super League champions have already seen off juniors giants Linlithgow Rose in the qualifying rounds and then thumped Highland League outfit Huntly in the first round proper.

Selkirk have done well this season, but have an extremely young team and free-scoring Banks have a 100 per cent league record. They are fine value at 4-1.

Recommendations
Motherwell
2pts 7-5 general
Dundee United
2pts 8-5 general
Banks O'Dee
1pt 4-1 general

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