Aberdeen v Motherwell
Motherwell will be without suspended Giles Coke after his red card against Falkirk on Wednesday but have received a boost with the news that loan pair John Ruddy and Lukas Jutkiewicz will be at the club for the rest of the season. The last three meetings of the sides have ended in draws but Motherwell are unbeaten in three games under Craig Brown, who's been confirmed as permanent 'Well manager.

Hamilton v Celtic
Accies have won only nine of the 102 meetings of the sides – and Celtic have won the last ten. However Tony Mowbray's side have won only one league game since their 2-0 victory over Accies on Boxing Day and slipped further behind in the title race with Wednesday's home defeat by Hibs – their fourth league defeat of the season. Accies have laughed off suggestions of a loan move to West Brom for midfielder James McArthur, while Middlesbrough and Celtic appear to be unable to agree terms on a loan move to England for Stephen McManus.

Hibernian v St Mirren
Hibs are unbeaten in the last six meetings of the sides and go into the match in a good vein of form. Their midweek Parkhead win put them within two points of Celtic and they've lost just twice in their last 17 games. But although Hibs needed a late Benjelloun goal to earn them the opening-day points when the teams met in August they'll be confident against a Saints side who haven't scored in their last three games. Gus MacPherson has also released Paisley pair Mo Camara and Dennis Wyness.

Kilmarnock v Dundee United
Killie continue to search for their first win under new manager Jimmy Calderwood and they haven't scored in their last three meetings with United. The home side are without a league win in seven games and haven't scored in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League in 532 minutes. United by contrast have won all three away games they've played in 2010. Home defender Frazer Wright could be out for six weeks as he struggles with an ankle injury.

Rangers v Falkirk
Top against bottom but although Falkirk remain at the foot of the table, recent performances have given Eddie May cause for optimism. They've lost only two of their last six Clydesdale Bank Premier League fixtures. Rangers, though, have won the last eleven meetings of the sides and the Champions are – with Brechin City – the only team in Scotland who are unbeaten at home in the league this season.

St Johnstone v Hearts
Both sides welcome back players after suspensions – Hearts' Christian Nade and Saints' defender Graham Gartland. Hearts haven't beaten Saints in any of the last three meetings of the sides and their hopes of going eight league games unbeaten came to a sudden end at Aberdeen's hands on Wednesday.  However they had good midweek news when it was revealed Falkirk skipper Darren Barr will join them this summer – but Lee Wallace and Ian Black are struggling after being injured against the Dons.

By cbfootball.co.uk   Last updated: 08 February 2010