Caretaker manager Stevie Hammell made three changes to the Motherwell team that lost in Europa Conference League qualifying to Irish side Sligo Rovers, a result that ultimately cost Graham Alexander his job as Motherwell manager. Bevis Mugabi dropped out of defence, as the Well resorted to a back four. Sondre Solholm Johansen partnered Ricki Lamie - who was sent off - in defence. Connor Shields replaced Ross Tierney, playing on the left hand side of midfield. Sean Goss replaced the suspended Callum Slattery in the middle of the park. Kevin van Veen's penalty was enough to see off St Mirren, the Dutchman picking up where he left off last season and back among the goals. Callum Davidson made five changes to the Saints side that finished their Premier Sports Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over Championship side Ayr United, before losing their Scottish Premiership opener by the same scoreline at home to Hibs. Remi Matthews made his first Saints start in goal after signing on loan from Crystal Palace. Millwall loanee Alex Mitchell and Ryan McGowan made their first starts in front of him, in a back three alongside Andy Considine. Murray Davidson - who'll miss this match through suspension - came into midfield, with Theo Bair given the nod up front. Out dropped Elliott Parish, the departing Dan Cleary, James Brown, Cammy MacPherson and Stevie May.
Both Motherwell and St Johnstone's Scottish Premiership openers were defined by a sole goal, the hosts winning in Perth, but the visitors losing in Paisley. The Steelmen opted to sack Graham Alexander, after one of the most humiliating results in their history, which saw their continental dream end in an embarrassing European exit. So it's back to the domestic scene for the Well and so far, so good. A win in this one could be a huge step in winning back some supporters after an abysmal end to last season and a stuttering start to this one. As for Saints, their season was off to an equally shocking start as they were dumped out of the Premier Sports Cup in the group stage as League 2 side Annan Athletic topped their group. A last-gasp defeat to Hibs at home won't have helped matters and neither would a loss to managerless Motherwell. Saints are traditionally slow starters, but don't want a repeat of last season whatsoever. The two teams met three times in the league last season, as Motherwell won in Lanarkshire and the two Perth matches ended in a draw and a Saints win. However, the morale boost they'll have felt last weekend could push the hosts to another narrow victory here. 1:0
Saint Johnstone 
Saint Johnstone 
Motherwell VS Saint Johnstone 