Celtic v Dundee United
United's Scott Severin is expected to be out for the season after having a plate inserted in the leg break he sustained in last weekend's draw against St Mirren, while Celtic will be without Emilio Izaguirre for the foreseeable future after he broke his ankle against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday.  Celtic skipper Scott Brown is due to return after missing the first two games of the season through suspension, but he limped off for Scotland in midweek and could be doubtful.  Kris Commons withdrew from the Scotland squad with a bruised foot but should make it.  Celtic have gone 478 minutes since conceding a league goal - the last one they lost was Shane Sutherland's strike against Inverness C.T. in May.  United will have to buck recent history if they're to take anything from the fixture - they've won just one of the last 45 meetings of the sides.  Tannadice pair Jon Daly and Sean Dillon this week announced that they have extended their Tannadice deals until 2013, while Celtic defender Josh Thompson has joined Peterborough on a season-long loan.

Hearts v Aberdeen
Ryan Jack returns after suspension for Aberdeen but Hearts midfielder Ian Black starts a two-game suspension after his red card at Motherwell last Sunday.  Hearts' run of eleven Clydesdale Bank Premier League games without a win is their worst run since 1977 - but Aberdeen haven't won any of the last four meetings of the sides.  The Dons have taken former Blackburn Rovers striker Maceo Rigters on trial.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Rangers
Rangers were twice held to 1-1 draws by Caley Thistle last season.  Rangers' new signing Dorin Goian missed the Champions League exit at Malmo with a hamstring injury but is expected to be fit, while Steven Whittaker had to withdraw from Scotland's squad in midweek with a toe injury.  The champions are close to clinching a deal for Brisbane Roar midfielder Matt McKay while Madjid Bougherra has joined Qatari outfit Lekwinha.  Terry Butcher will be without injured defenders Kenny Gillet, David Proctor and Josh Meekings.

St Johnstone v Dunfermline
Saints' Chris Millar is out for three weeks with a groin injury but Sam Parkin is approaching fitness after being out for six months with a broken ankle.  Dunfermline, who've drawn their two opening games, won all three meetings the last time the clubs were both in the SPL ten seasons ago.

St Mirren v Motherwell
League leaders Motherwell will expect it to be tough against on-form St Mirren.  Recent fixtures have been even - three wins apiece and three draws in the last nine meetings of the sides.  Saints frontman Nigel Hasselbaink misses out through suspension after his red card at Tannadice last Saturday, as does visiting midfielder Keith Lasley, who was sent off against Hearts last Sunday.  Saints also fear defender Darren McGregor could be out for the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament injury sustained in last weekend's draw at Tannadice.

Kilmarnock v Hibs (Sunday)
Killie manager Kenny Shiels has signed Osasuna striker Jorge Galan on a season-long loan deal but he's dropped his interest in Belgian frontman Jeanvion Yulu-Matondo and Slovenian midfielder Leon Panikvar.  Hibs are closing in on striker Isaiah Osbourne after his release by Aston Villa.  The pair met four times last season, with two wins apiece.

By cbfootball.co.uk   Last updated: 11 August 2011