Motherwell vs Heart Of Midlothian Prediction

Right then, let's have a proper look at this Scottish Premiership clash between Motherwell and the league leaders Hearts. And blimey, what a difference a season makes!

Hearts are sitting pretty at the top of the table with 30 points from 13 games - that's proper title-challenging form, that is. Motherwell aren't doing too badly in 4th with 21 points, but there's a 9-point gap between these two, and that tells you everything you need to know about the quality difference.

Let's talk recent form, shall we? Motherwell have been decent enough with 6 wins in their last 10. They just had a cracking 2-0 win over Hibernian at home, and they went to Kilmarnock and smashed them 3-1. But here's the worrying bit - they got absolutely dicked 1-4 at home by ST Mirren in the League Cup. When you're letting in four at home to a team struggling near the bottom, you've got problems, mate.

Hearts, on the other hand, have been absolutely flying. Seven wins in their last 10 games, and their only loss was that tight 1-0 defeat to Aberdeen. Before that, they were putting teams to the sword - 4-0 against Dundee, 3-1 against Celtic. They're averaging 2.1 goals per game while only letting in 0.6. That's championship-winning defense, that is.

The head-to-head does give Motherwell fans a bit of hope, mind you. Last meeting was a 3-3 thriller, and they've actually won 2 of the 4 home meetings against Hearts. But form usually trumps history in football, and Hearts' form is absolutely electric right now.

Looking at the numbers, Hearts just do everything better. More shots, better accuracy, more corners. Motherwell might have more possession (60.9% vs 53.9%), but as we all know, having the ball means nothing if you're not hurting teams with it.

The bookies have Hearts as clear favorites at 2.05, and that looks about right to me. Motherwell at 3.40 seems a bit short, especially with that defensive shambles against ST Mirren still fresh in the memory.

Hearts have got that winning mentality, they've got the best defense in the league, and they're scoring goals for fun. Motherwell are decent, but they're not in the same class right now. The away win looks the call here.