Aberdeen v Motherwell
An intriguing Pittodrie clash - with former Motherwell manager Craig Brown in charge of Aberdeen for the first time. Motherwell have lost only one of their last five visits to Pittodrie - and Aberdeen haven't won any of the last five matches between the sides. The home side's Rory McArdle is available again after missing the 5-0 defeat at Tynceastle through suspension. 'Well's defeat to Hearts on Tuesday was their first match since November 20 and they'll be without midfielder Steve Jennings on the trip north after his red card in that game.
Hamilton Academical v Celtic
Celtic have won the last eleven meetings of the clubs with Accies' last win over Celtic coming in April 1989 thanks to two Stuart Gordon goals. Home skipper Alex Neil is still sidelined with a hip injury, and while Scott Brown, Beram Kayal and Emilio Izaguirre are nearing fitness, none are ready for first-team action. Winger James Forrest, though, could be set for a comeback.
Hearts v Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Inverness will find it hard to stretch their amazing away record - they're unbeaten in eight away SPL games - against on-form Hearts. Hearts have won the last six meetings of the sides and are the Clydesdale Bank Premier Leagueâs form side after six consecutive wins. Motherwell's Keith Lasley's goal on Tuesday was the first Hearts had conceded in over 500 minutes. Hearts key man Rudi Skacel has scored three in Hearts' last three games.
Kilmarnock v Hibernian
Hibs are unbeaten in the last five league meetings of the sides, though Killie did beat the Edinburgh side in the League Cup in September. However, on-song Kilmarnock have lost only one game in their last six. Defender Chris Hogg has scored three goals in almost 180 games for Hibs - two against Kilmarnock in October and the other against the Ayrshire side in January 2006. Hibs youngster Lee Currie has been told he can leave the club.
St Johnstone v Dundee United
Anticipate it being tight - the last six games have seen one draw and every other game separated by one goal, though United have won four of those meetings. David Goodwillie has scored the winner in two of the last three games between the sides. Jamie Adams serves the second game of his ban while Garry Kenneth of United also misses out through a ban.
By
cbfootball.co.uk
Last updated: 16 December 2010