Aberdeen v St Johnstone
Aberdeen are without suspended Maurice Ross and Chris Maguire, and were dealt a blow with the news that promising 16-year-old Fraser Fyvie will be out for six weeks with ligament damage after being injured against Hibs last weekend.  Saints new signing Jonatan Johansson is doubtful after needing ten stitches in a face wound sustained against Falkirk last week but defender Steven Anderson may return after a toe injury.  It's eight years since Saints last visited Pittodrie, but they've lost only three times on their last nine visits to Pittodrie.

Hamilton v Motherwell
'Well have lost just one Clydesdale Bank Premier League game this season and won comfortably on their last visit to New Douglas Park in May, but Accies won two of the five games against their Lanarkshire rivals last season.  They'll welcome their neighbours in good heart after their first away win of the season, at St Mirren last Saturday.

Hearts v Hibs
Another tight Capital clash looks inevitable: the last eight meetings have seen three draws and four one-goal wins - the last two of them for Hibs, who've climbed to second spot in the table following their late win over Aberdeen.  Hearts will be without defender Eggert Jonsson after his red card at Motherwell last week and skipper Michael Stewart is doubtful with an ankle injury.  But vice-captain Marius Zaliukas is recovering from his ankle knock and could be in contention.

Kilmarnock v Dundee United
United will want to improve their record against Killie which saw them take only one point out of nine in the meetings last season.  Craig Levein's side will want to bounce back after the disappointment of last weekend's game against Rangers being abandoned at half-time and will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten away SPL record.  Defender Lee Wilkie won't play again this year after a knee operation while Killie midfielder Jamie Adams has joined Partick Thistle on loan.

Rangers v St Mirren
No question about the danger man for Gus MacPherson's side - Rangers have won five of the last six meetings of the sides and Kris Boyd has scored in every one of them.  St Mirren will be without defender Lee Mair after his red card against Hamilton last weekend.  Madjid Bougherra missed the Champions League visit to Unirea Urziceni in midweek but could be fit for the trip to New St Mirren Park.

Falkirk v Celtic (Sun)
Bottom-of-the-SPL Bairns have lost their last seven meetings with the table-toppers and have scored only one goal in that run.  Jackie McNamara is doubtful for the visit of his former club after being injured early in the defeat to St Johnstone last week.  Celtic will continue to be without goalkeeper Artur Boruc who's out for another three weeks with a thigh injury - though he took the opportunity to have an op

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