Aberdeen v Dundee United
United were unbeaten in four meetings with the Dons last season, including a 1-0 Pittodrie win last September. Dons defender Davide Grassi has had a special protective face mask made in his club’s colours as he hopes to return early from a fractured cheekbone sustained against Dundee last month – but the Italian is still thought to be a couple of weeks away from being able to re-start training. The visitors have had some bad news of their own this week after hearing that club captain Lee Wilkie is to see a specialist and may require further surgery to cure long-term knee problems.

Hearts v Falkirk
Despite Falkirk's Clydesdale Bank Premier League position, expect a tight encounter. The last seven meetings of the clubs have either been drawn or settled by a single goal – and the Bairns' recent record is good, having won four of the seven encounters. Hearts 'keeper Marian Kello received a boost from the news he won't require surgery on the shoulder he injured colliding with the post against Kilmarnock last month but defender Marius Zaliukas is still out with an ankle injury.

Kilmarnock v St. Johnstone
Saturday represents the first meeting in seven years between these two but Saints have won on two of their last three visits to Rugby Park. Killie's Danny Invincibile has admitted he has to be scoring goals to have any chance of making Australia's World Cup 2010 squad. Saints will want to build on their good performance in last weekend's home defeat to Rangers – and have the boost of knowing manager Derek McInnes and assistant Tony Docherty have signed extensions on their Perth deals.

Rangers v Hibernian
Rangers midfielder Pedro Mendes has been ruled out for two months after being injured against Unirea Urziceni in the Champions League on Tuesday. Hibs boss John Hughes was Clydesdale Bank Manager of the Month for September and has started October in similar fashion, with his team unbeaten in two games. Hibs can go top of the table with a win at Ibrox but since their two 3-0 wins away to Rangers four seasons ago, they've won only once in six visits west.

St. Mirren v Motherwell
Part one of a New St Mirren Park double header for the sides, who meet on cup duty three days later. That means a minimum of four meetings between two clubs who already know one another well. They met six times last season, with honours even – two wins apiece and two draws. 'Well will take confidence from the fact they won 3-1 on their last visit to Paisley back in May while Saints' hopes have been dealt a blow with the news that striker Craig Dargo will be out for a month with a shoulder muscle injury.

Hamilton v Celtic (Sunday, 12:30pm)
Celtic will hope to bounce back after losing their unbeaten away Clydesdale Bank Premier League record at Ibrox earlier this month. Celtic scored ten goals in three league meetings with Accies last season and it's 20 years since the home side beat Celtic – when a Stuart Gordon double gave them a 2-0 win in April 1989.

By cbfootball.co.uk   Last updated: 29 December 2009