United are doing all the defending in Paisley as forward Greg Kiltie's deflected shot loops over.

This has been a superb start for the Buddies, but they need a goal to show for it.

Centre-half Rocky Bushiri puts in a beautiful slide tackle as Jack Vale chases down a through ball.

It's the first time we've seen Motherwell come forward - and it came from a poor pass by Chris Cadden.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Smisa Stadium

Richard Taylor - and all the home fans - think the centre-half headed the Buddies into an early lead there.

He would have but for a fantastic headed goal-line clearance from United winger Luca Stephenson.

Good stuff early doors.

The game is being played in the Motherwell half in the opening five minutes, but Hibs haven't created anything of note yet.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at the SMiSA Stadium

St Mirren look well up for this one in the opening few minutes, putting pressure on the United backline.

Good crowd once again inside the SMiSA Stadium, including a fine following from Tayside behind Jack Walton's goal, nearly filling up the whole stand.

It was snowing here earlier but not enough for it to lie on a pitch that's thawed out well amid Scotland's deep freeze. Could be tasty here.

Centre-half Declan Gallagher needs to nick in, almost last-ditch like, to thwart a St Mirren attack.

The hosts have started well.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at the SMiSA Stadium

Aggregate score between these two in this season's previous three meetings? Dundee Utd 4-0 St Mirren.

The Buddies won't entertain talk of "bogey teams" but will be looking to put one over on the Tangerines for a variety of reasons.

Not least of which would be the gap between these two top-six sides were United to make it four wins in a row against their hosts.

That scenario would require the Buddies to reel in a 10-point deficit to the side currently sitting in third.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Scotland at Easter Road

The floodlights are on and it does feel as if the temperature is rising somewhat here at Easter Road.

That said, the big coat, heated gillet, hat and gloves still very much required!

Matches are kicking off around the country...bring on the goals!

Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin explains how impressed he has been with his squad over the recent hectic schedule.

"Obviously we've tried to manage the last three weeks as best we can with the squad and with the players that we've got available," he tells BBC Scotland.

"This is the seventh game in 20 days now for us, so it's been a really congested part of the season, but I think we've came through it really well. Our points tally during that festive period has been very good.

"Now this is the start of the last block of 11 games prior to the split and we've put ourselves in a really good position."

Having had live commentary from Dingwall of Celtic's win over Ross County, Sportsound has turned its attention to this afternoon's game.

Second commentary of the day comes from Paul Mitchell at Easter Road, with expert analysis from former Hearts wing-back Allan Preston and ex-Motherwell centre-half Stephen Craigan.

Former Scotland midfielder Leanne Crichton provides updates from St Mirren Park.

Click the wee button at the top of the page to listen.

Image source, SNS

Stephen Robinson has been asked if United are the Paisley side's so-called bogey team.

"No, I don't, no," the St Mirren boss tells BBC Scotland. "I believe in certain games you lose, we played well in all three games. To be fair, we had lots of possession without hurting them.

"What I do believe is that you have to dominate your box at both ends against Dundee United and we didn't do that on all three occasions."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Scotland at Easter Road

They only ended up taking a point against Rangers last week, but there is a real zest about this Hibs team at the moment.

Unbeaten now in their last six and with only one loss in their last nine, and that was away to Champions Celtic, it’s clear to see they are now on the right path.

Motherwell arrive in fifth position in the table after a sterling start to the season.

However, like most teams, they are now going through a sticky patch with only one victory in their last six games. In saying that, they enjoy coming to Easter Road and have two wins in their latest four visits and it should be very intriguing encounter.

Image source, SNS

David Gray explains the two changes to his Hibs team.

"It just freshens it up a little bit," the head coach tells BBC Scotland. "Dylan Levitt gets his opportunity, so I'm looking forward to see how he does.

"Warren O'Hora's not played for a couple of weeks but still featured a lot this season.

"We have to keep moving forward. We've improved results and performances, but it can move the other way pretty quickly. So consistency is the key.

"Motherwell are above us in the league for a reason, so we know it will be a difficult game. We're one point from sixth but three points from 11th - that's how tight it is."

Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell explains the late signing of Archie Mair on loan from Norwich City.

"It's been two of the most challenging days I've had as a manager," he tells BBC Scotland.

"It looks like Aston [Oxborough] has fractured his finger. Krisztian Hegyi was called back to West Ham, so this time yesterday we didn't have a goalkeeper.

"We've got Liam Gordon missing and a few guys struggling from the other night, so six changes indicates how much of a challenge it's been.

"But I've got faith in the group, who always shows character and togetherness."

Remarkably, three games survive in the fourth tier, with games hosted by Bonnyrigg Rose and Stirling Albion being postponed.

East Fife are four points clear at the top as they host a Clyde side devastated by injuries, while second-top Elgin City visit bottom side Forfar Athletic and it's third visiting fourth as Edinburgh City host Peterhead.

• Bonnyrigg Rose P-P Stranraer
• East Fife v Clyde
• Edinburgh City v Peterhead
• Forfar Athletic v Elgin City
• Stirling Albion P-P The Spartans

By the way, the early Premiership kick-off has now finished, with Celtic staging a traditional strong finish to beat hosts Ross County 4-1 and extend their lead at the top of the table.

Image source, SNS

United manager Jim Goodwin rings the changes - five of them.

Defender Ross Graham drops to the bench, as does forward Kai Fotheringham, while midfielder Richard Odada fails to make the squad.

Striker Jorte Van Der Sande and winger Kristijan Trapanovski are also on the bench.

Kevin Holt was considered a 50-50 after missing the Celtic Park loss but is named in the starting defence, while Ross Docherty, Ryan Strain, Luca Stephenson and top scorer Sam Dalby also come in.

Image source, SNS

Two matches survive in the third tier after games being hosted by Annan Athletic, Cove Rangers and Dumbarton were called off.

The big game is between third-top Kelty Hearts and Stenhousemuir, who are one point ahead but three adrift of leaders Arbroath.

That game is live on the BBC Alba TV channel, while Alloa Athletic could overtake Cove Rangers in fourth as they host Queen of the South, who are three points behind, in the earlier kick-off.

• Alloa Athletic v Queen of the South (15:00)
• Annan Athletic P-P Inverness Caledonian Thistle
• Cove Rangers P-P Montrose
• Dumbarton P-P Arbroath
• Kelty Hearts v Stenhousemuir (17:30, live on BBC Alba)