The Clydesdale Bank Premier League comes to a close this weekend, with another final day title decider. The trophy will arrive with the winners on Sunday by helicopter, but will it be Celtic or Rangers celebrating?
Hamilton Academical v Inverness Caledonian Thistle (Saturday)
Now-officially relegated, Hamilton will be without stopper Mark McLaughlin through suspension after his ordering-off at St Johnstone on Tuesday night and fellow defender Martin Canning is injured. Russell Duncan returns after suspension for Caley Thistle and will play his last game for the club, as will defenders Grant Munro and Chris Innes. The games this season have been evenly split with a draw and a win apiece from the three fixtures, but Accies' midweek defeat at Perth was their first loss in five games. Caley Thistle have lost only once in their last seven games.
Hibernian v Aberdeen (Saturday)
Francis Dickoh returns after suspension for Hibs, who still have Ian Murray, Michael Hart and Danny Galbraith out injured. Aberdeen have Paul Hartley, Andy Considine, Scott Vernon, Rory McArdle, Peter Pawlett and Michael Paton missing, while Zander Diamond is also likely to miss out. He and Derek Young are among a group of players set to leave Pittodrie as Craig Brown begins rebuilding. His side have won two of the three Clydesdale Bank Premier League meetings this season. There have been 250 league meetings of the sides - with Aberdeen on top with 106 wins, but both sides are in form slumps with both having just one win from their last nine games.
St Mirren v St Johnstone (Saturday)
The Paisley Saints still have skipper Hugh Murray unavailable while the Perth side are missing Graham Gartland, who's out for the remainder of the season following a hernia op, and Jody Morris is also sidelined with a back problem. However they have won their last three and manager Derek McInnes has turned down the chance to move to Brentford. St Mirren are finally free from relegation fears but will have to upset the formbook to end the season on a high - they haven't won any of the last twelve meetings of the two Saints.
Celtic v Motherwell (Sunday)
Celtic will be without injured duo Beram Kayal and Joe Ledley and suspended Kris Commons for their final home game of the season. They know they have to either beat Motherwell and hope Rangers fail to beat Kilmarnock, or draw with Motherwell and see Rangers lose at Rugby Park. Motherwell are again expected to shuffle their pack in the build-up to the Scottish Cup Final. Motherwell's win over Celtic in February was their first in twelve games against the Parkhead club and they go into the game having conceded thirteen goals in their last four games, none of which they have won.
Dundee United v Hearts (Sunday)
United trio David Robertson, Prince Buaben and Morgaro Gomis will all play what's likely to be their final game for the club. Hearts have Eggert Jonsson and Suso Santana avaliable after suspension and injured trio Jason Thomson, Calum Elliott and Kevin Kyle out, as well as suspended David Obua. The last nine meetings of the third and fourth-placed sides in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League are evenly split - three draws and three wins apiece. However United have lost only once in their last nine home games, while Hearts have won only one of their last eleven games.
Kilmarnock v Rangers (Sunday)
Rangers know a win at Rugby Park will see them win the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title. Kilmarnock will be without Jamie Hamill with a hamstring injury and Alexei Eremenko is suspended before leaving the club. Rangers have won the last seven meetings against Killie, including all five this season. Rangers have won eight of their last nine games and have conceded just one goal in that run. Kilmarnock are without a win in seven games.Â
By
cbfootball.co.uk
Last updated: 13 May 2011