Motherwell are facing a six-pointer against Partick Thistle at Fir Park on Saturday, according to Jags boss Alan Archibald.

The Maryhill side are six clear of the Steelmen and victory could take them into the top-six in the Scottish Premiership depending on how Dundee and Kilmarnock fare.

Archibald believes the Steelmen, under new boss Ian Baraclough, will be under pressure to prevent the Firhill men stretching their lead further.

He said: "It is a bit of a six-pointer from their point of view. It is a chance for them to close the gap but we are looking to move up the league.

"We have closed the gap to one point to the two clubs above us, which is something we were aiming to do.

"So it gives us the chance to maybe go above these teams."

However, Archibald is mindful that almost at the same time last year Well, under former boss Stuart McCall, hammered Thistle 5-1 at Firhill.

"It was probably one of our better first-half performances but it shows you how games change," said the former Thistle defender.

"They got the goals at the crucial times and went on to absolutely batter us.

"But things change quickly in football, we know that.

"They have had that new manager effect already. You seen that result last week. They got a good victory at St Mirren.

"The manager made changes to win the game and they did that. So we are expecting a bit of a different outlook from them."

After losing a last-gasp goal against Dundee at home last week to draw 1-1, Archibald is looking for an improvement in concentration levels.

He said: "I want to stop giving away last-minute goals.

"If games finished in the 80th minute we would be in the top six now.

"It is a bit different from last year when it was down to bad defending.

"Saturday's was a deflection but maybe it is down to concentration.

"As well as that we just want to keep up the level of performance of the last couple of months and keep looking up the way. We don't want to be looking over our shoulder."