Aberdeen v Hamilton
The omens don't look good for the Dons in the 99th meeting of the sides with none of the four games between the clubs last season ending in a home win, with Accies victorious twice at Pittodrie. Aberdeen will hope summer signing Paul Hartley will bring experience to their side whilst Hamiltonâs Gary McDonald will line up against his old club. Hamilton have also brought in Jack Ross, Gavin Skelton and Jim McAlister. Mark McGhee will have to start the season without the suspended Richard Foster.
Hearts v St Johnstone
Hearts will look to improve on a record which saw them take only one point from the three meetings of the sides last season. In doing so however they will be without Ismael Bouzid, Eggert Jonsson and Ryan Stevenson all through suspension, although they're hopeful new signings Kevin Kyle and Stephen Elliot will start up front. For St Johnstone, strikers Sam Parkin and former Scotland international Scott Dobie have been Derek McInnes' most eye-catching summer arrivals.
Inverness CT v Celtic
Expect a tight opening-day game in the lunchtime kick-off - there's only been one goal between the teams in seven of the last eight meetings. Neil Lennon could have as many as six players making their Clydesdale Bank Premier League debuts, while Terry Butcher is looking to former Rangers target Gil Blumanshtein, signed from Hapoel Beer-Sheva, to provide added firepower. Jonny Tuffey from Partick Thistle looks to be an astute signing by Butcher but fellow new boy Chris Innes is suspended.
Rangers v Kilmarnock
Champions Rangers are the only side not to have made any transfer market moves in the summer, but Mixu Paatelainen has brought in David Silva from CSKA Sofia and Chelsea defender Ben Gordon. Rangers have Lee McCulloch out through suspension for a game which Killie go into with a wretched record - they've managed just one draw in the last nine meetings of the sides.
St Mirren v Dundee United
Saints have managed just two draws in their last nine SPL games against United and new boss Danny Lennon will be without Michael Higdon who's serving a ban. He could have as many as nine new faces to call on, including Celtic loan striker Paul McGowan and a trio of players from his former club Cowdenbeath. Peter Houston has brought in highly-rated defender Barry Douglas from Queen's Park but must do without suspended Danny Swanson.
Motherwell v Hibernian (Sunday)
The last meeting of the sides was the highest-scoring game in SPL history, the 6-6 draw at Fir Park in May. But 'Well favourites Lukas Jutkiewicz - who scored the spectacular injury-time leveller in that game - and John Ruddy have since returned down south. Hibs have been a bogey team to Motherwell lately with the Fir Park side having won only one of the last six meetings. John Hughes has brought in defender Michael Hart and midfielder Edwin de Graaf over the summer, however he will be without the suspended Ian Murray. Former Charlton goalkeeper Darren Randolph looks to be the best of Craig Brown's summer arrivals.
By
cbfootball.co.uk
Last updated: 23 August 2010