Dundee United v St Johnstone
United have taken six points from their last nine Clydesdale Bank Premier League games and have lost more goals than anyone in the division.  However they haven't lost any of their last thirteen league meetings with St Johnstone - Saints' last win came through Keigan Parker's goal in November 2000.  United's Danny Swanson is doubtful after twisting his knee against Aberdeen, while Sean Dillon (calf) and Keith Watson (ankle) are also doubtful.  Saints' Cillian Sheridan is touch and go after a recurrence of his hamstring injury last week, as is David Robertson with the same injury.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Dunfermline Athletic
The Pars have Andy Barrowman doubtful after an appendix operation but defender Jason Thomson is available after missing the Hearts game under the terms of his loan agreement.  This match pitches bottom against second-bottom in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, and struggling Dunfermline must improve a recent record which has seen them lose six of their last seven games and fail to score in their last three.  Ten of the 24 league meetings of the sides have ended in draws, including three of the last four.

Motherwell v Kilmarnock
Second-placed Motherwell have had three successive victories in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, while Killie, despite being 3-0 up against Celtic last weekend, have won only two of their last twenty games.  Killie 'keeper Cammy Bell is out with an elbow injury sustained while on international duty for Scotland.  A home win would be Motherwell's 100th win over Kilmarnock in 222 meetings.

St Mirren v Hibernian
Hibs defender Michael Hart is back in training after being out for two months with a groin injury, while Saints skipper Jim Goodwin should shake off the injury which saw him limp off at Ibrox last weekend.  Hugh Murray and Aaron Mooy remain on the sidelines for the Paisley side.  St Mirren have won only two of the last twelve meetings with Hibs.

Hearts v Rangers (Sunday)
Tynecastle is a traditionally testing place to visit for the Old Firm but Hearts have won only one of the last eleven meetings of the sides - when Ryan Stevenson got the winner in January.  Rangers have won all five of their away games in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League this season without conceding a goal.  Hearts' forward Calum Elliot is back in training after seven months out with a knee injury.  Rangers could have Sasa Papac back after he missed the draw against St Mirren with a bronchial problem, but Jamie Ness (groin) and Kyle Bartley (hernia) are out.  A Tynecastle win for Rangers in the Sunday lunchtime kick-off would see them going thirteen points ahead of Celtic - for a few hours at least.

Celtic v Aberdeen (Sunday)
Celtic missed out on a move for Scotland star James McFadden, who chose his former club Everton instead.  Celtic's Kris Commons misses out as he serves the second game of his suspension while Scott Brown and Emilio Izaguirre remain on the sidelines.  Aberdeen's Ryan Jack has signed a new three-year deal, while Celtic's Beram Kayal has also signed a new contract which will keep him at Parkhead until 2015.  Aberdeen 'keeper Jamie Langfield is back in training after suffering a brain seizure but Yoann Folly is doubtful after a chest infection.  Aberdeen have drawn one and lost ten of the last eleven meetings of the sides, and conceded 21 goals in the five games last season.  Anthony Stokes has scored seven goals in his last six games against the Dons.

By cbfootball.co.uk   Last updated: 19 October 2011