St Mirren are licking wounds after a heavy Premier Sports Cup exit at Ibrox. That 16th August defeat to Rangers stung, and the postponement of the league return to Govan has given Stephen Robinson's squad a fortnight to reset on the Ralston turf. Two weeks of training, a couple of fresh faces through the door, and a home crowd at the SMiSA Stadium — this is a side desperate to prove the Ibrox horror show was a blip, not a trend. They'll be sharp, they'll be angry, and they'll be organised.

Motherwell, by contrast, are unbeaten so far this term. The Steelmen booked a Conference League play-off against Freiburg — last year's Europa League finalists, no less — and that confidence is real. But here's the catch: they've got one eye on Germany. A goalless draw with Falkirk in the league was followed by a cup tie against Stenhousemuir, and the rotation has already cost them. Oscar Priestman and Johnny Koutroumbis are out with muscular injuries, Tom Sparrow and Martin Moorman are doubts. This is a squad running on fumes and fixture congestion.

Both teams crashed out of the Premier Sports Cup — St Mirren at Ibrox, Motherwell as cup casualties too. That shared disappointment levels the emotional playing field. But momentum? Motherwell have it in the league, St Mirren have the rest. Home advantage at a ground where they reached last season's cup semi-final and beat Motherwell in the process? That counts for plenty.