Aberdeen v Hamilton Academical
Accies have won two of the last four meetings of the sides but were trounced 3-0 at New Douglas Park in August.  Accies' Leon Knight sits the game out through suspension after his post-match red card against Hearts last Sunday, while the home team's Jerel Ifil is out after his Parkhead ordering-off - his side's fifth red card in five weeks.  Accies' Marvin Andrews has joined Queen of the South on loan while home midfielder Peter Pawlett has been voted Clydesdale Bank Young Player of the Month for November.

Hearts v Dundee United
A fixture which has been decimated by suspensions has been evenly split in recent history: the last twelve games have seen five wins apiece and two draws.  Hearts will be without suspended skipper Michael Stewart, Ismael Bouzid, Suso Santana and Ian Black, while United pair Prince Buaben and Margaro Gomis are banned - however Craig Levein does have Danny Swanson available after his suspension.  He may also have Scott Robertson available from the start after injury following his half-hour appearance last weekend.

Kilmarnock v Hibernian
Kilmarnock ended a four-game losing streak at St Johnstone last weekend and have won four of the last eight meetings of the clubs, though Hibs won the only meeting this season thanks to Abdessalam Benjelloun's late penalty goal in October.  Manager Jim Jefferies has the luxury of a striking choice, with Mark Burchill fit to partner Kevin Kyle and Allan Russell available.

Motherwell v Celtic
The last two games between the clubs have been drawn, including the goalless game at Parkhead in December - but prior to that Celtic had won ten of the previous twelve meetings.  Table-topping Celtic's away form has been patchy - one win in their last five.  Scott McDonald scored both goals - for Motherwell - the last time 'Well won against Celts at Fir Park, in May 2005.

Rangers v St Johnstone
Rangers' Kirk Broadfoot played 45 minutes of a bounce game this week as he returns to fitness but he's still a couple of weeks away from first-team action.  Kris Boyd will see the game as an opportunity to close in on Henrik Larsson's SPL goals record - he's on 151, seven behind the ex-Celt.  Although Owen Coyle's St Johnstone beat Rangers in the League Cup during the Paul le Guen era in November 2006, they haven't won on league business at Ibrox in their last 25 visits.  Rangers are aiming to start their second century wins against Saints, having won 100 of the clubs' previous 126 meetings.  They're also unbeaten in their last twelve SPL games.
 
St Mirren v  Falkirk
Saints are unbeaten in the last six meetings of the sides.  Falkirk manager Eddie May will be pleased to see injured quartet Jackie McNamara (knee), Burton O'Brien (hernia), Tam Scobbie (pelvis) and Mark Stewart (groin) coming back to fitness but, with his side four points behind at the foot of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, he knows this is the first of a key away double-header - his side are at Kilmarnock next weekend.

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