Aberdeen v Hearts
Jim Jefferies hopes to have David Obua available after he missed Uganda's African Nations Cup draw with Kenya last weekend with a groin injury.  Dons' Michael Paton will be available after having his red card against Inverness over-turned by the SFA.  Aberdeen have won only one of Hearts' last six visits to Pittodrie and are without a win in their last five Clydesdale Bank Premier League games.

Hibernian v Kilmarnock
Hibs start the post-John Hughes era without a win in seven games but his side have beaten Kilmarnock on four of their last five Edinburgh visits.  Coaches Gareth Evans and Alistair Stevenson are likely to be in charge for Killie's visit.  On Mixu Paatelainen's return to Easter Road, he has Frazer Wright suspended after his red card against Dundee United.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle v St Johnstone
Saints have Steven Anderson suspended and Murray Davidson doubtful after he'd to withdraw from the Scotland under-21 squad last weekend.  Saints' striker Marcus Haber will be on a high after making his Canada debut in his country's 2-2 draw with Ukraine in Kiev last week.  This clash is the first league meeting between the sides in six seasons, since they met in the First Division.  There has never been a draw in the nine meetings of the sides with Caley Thistle winning five to the Saints' four.

Rangers v Motherwell
Scotland's midweek hero Allan McGregor is suspended for the game after his retrospective red card at Pittodrie, leaving Neil Alexander set to deputise.  Kirk Broadfoot is struggling after having to withdraw from the Scotland squad.  Motherwell have a 100% away record in domestic games this season.  Their on-form winger Chris Humphrey has revealed he's both eligible and enthusiastic about playing for Scotland through his Kilmarnock-born mother.  Motherwell haven't won on any of their last 25 visits to Ibrox - last season's final-day 3-3 draw was only their third draw in that run.

St Mirren v Hamilton Academical
Basement battle with twelfth facing eleventh.  Saints haven't beaten Accies in any of the last six meetings and this has the look of another tight encounter with only one of the last eight meetings being separated by more than one goal.  Despite sitting twelfth in the SPL losing goals at home hasn't been St Mirren's problem - only the Old Firm have lost fewer home goals this season.  Saints have agreed terms with Aaron Mooy but have still to come to a compensation agreement with his former club Bolton.

Dundee United v Celtic (Sunday)
Celtic skipper Scott Brown is out till the New Year with a metatarsal injury and Beram Kayal is also facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a hernia problem.  Neil Lennon hopes to have Paddy McCourt available after his recovery from a dislocated shoulder.  United have won only one of their last 17 home games against Celtic, who are aiming to make it sixteen consecutive Clydesdale Bank Premier League wins in succession.

By cbfootball.co.uk   Last updated: 13 October 2010