Celtic v St Johnstone
Celtic have won 65 of the 100 league meetings of the sides including the 3-0 win at McDiarmid Park in October.  Neil Lennon's side have scored 18 goals in their last five games against St Johnstone, with all three of Niall McGinn's Celtic goals this season have come against the Saints.  Saints haven't beaten Celtic since April 1999 and have Jamie Adams and Jody Morris out through suspension.  However, Celtic have drawn their last three home games and will be without Shaun Maloney after ankle surgery as well as striker Gary Hooper, who's out for a month with ligament damage.  Korean duo Ki Sung Yeung and Cha Du-Ri play their final games before leaving for the Asian Games.

Dundee United v Hamilton Academical
Four of the last five games between the sides have ended in away victories - including United's win at New Douglas Park last month, but United haven't beaten Accies in the league at Tannadice in their last four attempts.  United have Garry Kenneth suspended and stopper Scott Severin out for two months after an ankle operation this week. Both clubs will simply be relishing what will be their first Clydesdale Bank Premier League fixture of the month.

Hibernian v Aberdeen
Craig Brown will come up against the manager he capped as a Scotland player in Hibs boss Colin Calderwood in his first game in charge of Aberdeen.  The sides have met 300 times with Aberdeen winning 125 of them.  Recent results have been even - four wins apiece and four draws in the last twelve games.  Hibs will have midfielder Liam Miller available after the club's appeal against his red card last weekend was upheld.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle v St Mirren
Inverness have been Saints' bogey team recently - the Highlanders have won their last three games against St Mirren by 2-1 - including the away win in September.  While much has been made of Caley's amazing away record, they've lost only once in their last five home games.  St Mirren will be without suspended Gareth Wardlaw.

Kilmarnock v Hearts
The pair have met 200 times in the league since 1899 with Hearts just leading head-to-heads by 82 to 67.  Hearts won all three of last season's meetings, but Killie won comprehensively by 3-0 at Tynecastle in October and Mixu Paatelainen's side are in great form - they've lost only one of their last eight games.

Motherwell v Rangers
First half of an Old Firm double-header for managerless 'Well.  Expect a tight game - the last five league meetings at Fir Park have been drawn and Rangers won the four before that at 'Well's ground by the odd goal.  Rangers' 4-1 Ibrox win in October wasn't as one-sided as it sounds as 'Well were ahead through Nick Blackman's header at the break.  Motherwell will be without suspended midfielder Steve Jennings, while Rangers are delighted that Steven Naismith has signed a new 4½-year deal at Ibrox.  It's the third in a series of four away games for Rangers - and the previous two have ended 1-1.

By cbfootball.co.uk   Last updated: 23 December 2010