Celtic v Hearts
A tight meeting looks set to be on the cards with only one of the sides' last eight meetings being settled by more than a single goal, with that coming in Celtic’s 2-0 win in February.  Hearts' Parkhead record however is respectable with Celtic having won only four of the last nine home meetings of the sides.  Celtic will have new signing - and last season's second-top Clydesdale Bank Premier League goalscorer - Anthony Stokes available after his move from Hibernian.

Dundee United v Aberdeen
United are still after their first Clydesdale Bank Premier League win this season and the omens seem stacked against them as there's only been a home winner in one of the last seven meetings of the clubs.  United's Danny Swanson is doubtful after a recurrence of his hamstring problem saw him substituted just four minutes into the draw at Tynecastle on August 29, but new signing Scott Severin has joined from Watford.  Aberdeen have defender Nikola Vujadinovic available for his debut after he was granted a work permit to complete his season-long loan from Italian side Udinese but loan striker Andrius Velicka is doubtful.

Hamilton Academical v Rangers (12.00)
Accies hope to have new signing Jim Goodwin available following the Irish defender's arrival from Huddersfield.  Hamilton will  be strengthened up-front with former Dundee United frontman Damian Casalinouvo signing for the club and will also have Martin Canning back from suspension for the day's early kick-off.   Rangers have Kyle Lafferty available after missing the win over St Johnstone through suspension and new loan signing Ricky Foster is in the squad, but Kirk Broadfoot is struggling after he had to withdraw from the Scotland squad with an ankle injury.  Rangers' last three visits to New Douglas Park have ended in a draw and two one-goal wins.

Hibernian v Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Inverness CT are unbeaten against Hibs in three games and Terry Butcher's side will be aiming to bounce back after their defeat to Hamilton last time out.  Hibs haven't won in Inverness since their first visit north in 2004.  John Hughes does however have Kevin McBride available again after suspension and new defenders Francis Dickoh and Jonathan Grounds could also feature.

Kilmarnock v St Mirren
Eighth against fifth and expect it to be tight - even though Killie failed to beat Saints in five attempts last season, none of the last thirteen meetings of this pair has been won by more than a single goal.  Killie will have Finnish frontman Alexei Eremenko Jr. available following his loan move from Ukrainian side Metalist Kharkiv.  Saints will give a debut to midfielder Nick Hegarty, who's joined from Grimsby.

St Johnstone v Motherwell
Motherwell look a good bet at McDiarmid Park if recent history is to be believed - eight of the last ten fixtures between the clubs have been won by the away side.  The last time there was a home winner was in April 2001.  'Well will be without defender Steven Saunders after his controversial red card against Celtic two weeks ago.  Saints have midfielder Murray Davidson struggling following the head knock which forced him out of the Scotland under-21 double-header last week.

By cbfootball.co.uk   Last updated: 10 September 2010