Aberdeen v Hibernian
Mark McGhee will be without suspended Jerel Ifil against a Hibs side who have won only once in their last nine visits to Pittodrie. However John Hughes' side are unbeaten in their last eleven Clydesdale Bank Premier League games – although they've drawn their last four away games.

Hamilton v Dundee United
Accies are aiming to complete the permanent signing of Mickael Antoine-Curier from Dundee in time for the visit of Craig Levein's side and Billy Reid will have Leon Knight available after suspension. They've lost only one of their last six games. Tannadice boss Levein has challenged his side to show a big improvement from Tuesday's tame home defeat against Rangers. He'll be without suspended Morgaro Gomis. United have won only one of the last five meetings between the clubs.

Kilmarnock v Falkirk
Killie go into the battle of the basement clubs in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League aiming to make it seven points out of nine after a win at St Johnstone and a draw against Hibs. Goalkeeper Alan Combe remains sidelined with a thigh injury following his hip operation earlier in the season. Expect a tight encounter – five of the last nine meetings between the clubs have ended in a draw, including a goalless encounter back in September.

Rangers v Motherwell
Although they held Rangers to a scoreless draw at Fir Park in the sides' last meeting in September, and saw Jim McBride miss a last-minute penalty, Motherwell's record at Ibrox is one of the worst in the SPL with just one draw in their last 22 visits. Rangers are likely to have Neil Alexander continuing to deputise for Allan McGregor but Maurice Edu is coming closer to a first-team return.

St Johnstone v St Mirren
The Perth Saints have eight players on the injured list after Danny Grainger and Steven Anderson reported with knocks this week. Skipper Kevin Rutkiewicz is out for three months with a torn medial ligament after catching his studs in the turf at training. St Mirren 'keeper Chris Smith returned from his loan spell at Dunfermline and will be out for eight weeks with a stress fracture of his foot and midfielder Andy Dorman is out till the New Year with a hamstring injury. The sides have met 100 times in all competitions with St Johnstone winning 22 to the Paisley side's 27 – but six of the last ten meetings have been drawn.

Hearts v Celtic (Sunday 12.30)
Hearts welcome back Suso Santana, Ian Black and Ismael Bouzid after suspension. The Edinburgh side won at Parkhead in the League Cup in October but haven't beaten Celtic at Tynecastle in their last four Capital meetings. Celtic have completed the signing of South Korean international Ki Sung Yueng from FC Seoul but he won't be available for selection for Tony Mowbray until January 1st. Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney are still out till the New Year.

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