Rangers are sitting pretty at the top of the Scottish Premier League but Walter Smith is struggling with an injury crisis ahead of the trip to Kilmarnock (7/1 in the match betting).
The champions bounced back from their first defeat of the season to Hibernian earlier in the month by beating Aberdeen, but now they have to add Madjid Bougherra to an injury list that already includes Maurice Edu, Sasa Papac, Nikica Jelavic, James Beattie, Andy Webster, Steven Naismith and Steven Whittaker.
Rangers are 2/5 to win this weekend but could have one eye on their forthcoming Champions League game against Manchester United, and that could be their downfall as they face a Killie side that are unbeaten in their last four matches and have scored 10 goals in the process.
Dundee United were always going to face a daunting challenge travelling to Celtic Park, but they are not being helped by the number of injuries they are struggling with.
Peter Houston is without Craig Conway, Darren Dods, Scott Severin and Mihael Kovacevic for the clash, so is hoping that Danny Swanson and Jon Daly are available to come back into the side.
Celtic (1/4 to beat Dundee United) have stuttered since their staggering 9-0 win over Aberdeen, but their home goalscoring record has been impressive this term and the Terrors have only mustered 9 goals on their travels all season.
Hearts (1/2 to continue the winning run) have consolidated their third place with an impressive three wins in a row, in which they have scored six goals without conceding. That run included a victory over Celtic at Tynecastle only ten days ago and they have no new injury worries so can rely on the same side that have done them so well in recent weeks.
Hamilton (11/2 to win, 14/5 the draw) probably stand more chance on the road that at home, as they have won eight of their nine points on their travels. The facts suggest though that it will not be a goal-packed game, as Hearts have scored eight goals at Tynecastle and the Accies have scored six away from home all season, but Jim Jeffries knows a win for his side can see them further secure their third place standing.
Inverness CT (5/4 to win) have struggled at home this season and Hibernian (2/1 to win, draw 23/10) have not excelled on their travels, suggesting a draw could be the way forward. However both sides are currently chasing a third successive Clydesdale Bank Premier League victory, and Terry Butcher will be looking for the Highland side to continue their strong start that sees them sitting fifth in the table.
Derek Riordan will be looking to go out on a high before starting a suspension and help Hibernian get a third win on the bounce, but Colin Calderwood, who is recovering from a poor start as Hibs boss, goes into the game with David Wotherspoon, Daryl Duffy, Graham Stack and Merouane Zemmama all injured.
St Mirren (19/10 in the match betting) have struggled so far this season but Danny Lennon is finally getting an almost full squad available after seeing his side decimated by injuries in recent weeks. Motherwell (13/10 favourites to win) have had an up-and-down time of late but will want to keep the pressure on third-place Hearts win a win at New St Mirren Park.
Things have all been a struggle at Aberdeen recently. The Dons sit second bottom of the SPL and have only won two of their home games. Things have not been much better for St Johnstone, with five successive losses seeing them only one point and one place ahead of Saturday’s opposition.
Both teams are desperate for a result to go their way (Aberdeen 6/5 to win, St Johnstone 21/10) so they can climb away from the bottom reaches of the league, so it is likely there will be a war of attrition at Pittodrie this weekend.
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