Celtic v Aberdeen
Table-topping Celtic will be without Scott Brown (ankle) and Shaun Maloney (achilles) until 2010.  Aberdeen haven't won in the league at Parkhead in eleven visits - since John Stewart scored a last-minute winner in October 2004.  The Dons haven't won away from home in six games, since winning at Hamilton in August, and will go into the game without skipper Mark Kerr after his red card against Rangers last weekend.
 
Dundee United v St Mirren
United will be delighted to be in Tannadice action - they've completed only three home fixtures since the end of August.  However they will be without both Prince Buaben and Danny Swanson after their red cards at Motherwell last Saturday.  Saints, who have let reserve ´keeper Chris Smith join Dunfermline on loan, have won only one of the last nine meetings of the sides.
 
Falkirk v Rangers
Rangers, who slipped from the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League last weekend, have won 20 of the last 25 meetings of the clubs.  Their striker Nacho Novo is being investigated by Grampian Police after allegedly making a gesture to fans at Pittodrie last weekend.  The Bairns hope to have recently-signed French midfielder Toufik Zerara available.
 
Hibernian v Motherwell
Hibs inflicted Jim Gannon's side's first league defeat of the season at Fir Park in September but have won just one of the last five meetings of the sides at Easter Road.  However they’re on a strong run and have conceded just one goal in their last five league games at home, winning four of them.  Motherwell will again be without long-term injury victims Paul Slane and Shaun Hutchison.  They’ve drawn more games than any other SPL club - eight out of 13.
 
St Johnstone v Kilmarnock
Saints have won only one of their last six home games against Killie.  But Saints have won three of their last five games since losing to Kevin Kyle's double at Kilmarnock in October and Derek McInnes´ side have scored in all but one of their league matches this season.  Four consecutive defeats since that win over Saints have seen Killie slump to second-bottom.
 
Hamilton Academical v Hearts (Sunday, 12.45)
Accies' 2-0 win over Hearts in January brought to an end one of Scottish football's most one-sided runs: they'd lost the previous eighteen meetings of the sides, a run stretching back to October 1979.  Hearts ensured there would be no repeat with a 2-1 Tynecastle win in September but until last weekend´s win at Kilmarnock they haven't won any of their previous six Clydesdale Bank Premier League fixtures.  Csaba Laszlo will be without top kids Andrew Driver who’s out for a month with a hamstring problem, and Scotland international Lee Wallace who’s sidelined for a fortnight with an ankle injury.  Marius Zaliukas is another long-term fitness doubt.  Accies have released midfielder Gary Mason from his short-term contract.

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