Aberdeen v St Mirren
Clydesdale Bank Premier League bottom club Aberdeen will hope for a change of fortune against Danny Lennon's side after five league games without a win.  Kari Arnason and Ryan Jack are set to boost the home side by returning after injury but on-loan 'keeper David Gonzalez is set to return to Manchester City.  Saints won three of the six meetings last season and have already beaten Aberdeen in the league this season.

Celtic v Hearts
Celtic have won their last five Clydesdale Bank Premier League games and will look to continue that run against a Hearts side who have taken just one point from their last five games and who are once again at the centre of a probe into non-payment of players' wages.  Celtic skipper Scott Brown is set to start on the bench again as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.  Hearts haven't won on any of their last eight visits to Celtic Park and haven't scored in their last three trips.

Dunfermline Athletic v Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock are unbeaten in three games since their 6-3 defeat by Inverness Caledonian Thistle early in November.  Dunfermline haven't won any of their last four games and are one of only two Scottish league sides - Peterhead are the other - who haven't won at home this season.  They have last week's Ibrox goalscorer Joe Cardle doubtful after he visited a specialist for an injection on tendonitis in his knee this week.  There have been 100 league meetings of the sides, with Kilmarnock winning 43 and Dunfermline 37.

Hibernian v Rangers
Rangers have Sasa Papac back in training but the Bosnian is struggling to make the game this weekend and fellow defender Carlos Bocanegra is also out for another week with a hamstring injury.  Sone Aluko could also sit the game out through suspension if Rangers lose their appeal against the S.F.A. on their charge of simulation against him.  Gers have won six of the last seven meetings of the sides, including the 1-0 win in October.  Hibs manager Pat Fenlon will hope for better luck in his first game in charge after his side were leading at Motherwell when the match was abandoned.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Dundee United?
United's Danny Swanson has been sent to Lilleshall as he continues his recovery from a medial ligament strain.  Caley Thistle pair Josh Meekings and David Proctor missed last week's win at St Mirren and may have to sit it out again.  Inverness C.T. have won only one of the last eight meetings of the sides.

St Johnstone v Motherwell
Saints manager Steve Lomas is back in the technical area after serving a one-match touchline ban last Saturday.  David McCracken could again deputise in defence after Fraser Wright injured a thigh early in last weekend's win at Tynecastle.  Jody Morris and Cillian Sheridan are likely to remain on the sidelines with hamstring injuries.  Motherwell will be aiming to get back to playing after the abandonment of last Friday's game against Hibs.  Stephen Hughes could replace thigh strain injury victim Keith Lasley for Stuart McCall's side.  Motherwell were beaten 3-0 at Fir Park on the last meeting of the sides – but they have lost only one of their last seven games.

By cbfootball.co.uk   Last updated: 08 December 2011