One or two surprises at the weekend saw Celtic open up a five-point gap at the top of the SPL table, while Hearts showed they were genuine title contenders and wouldn’t you know it – they have been thrown together by the fixture compiler this week. Here is a look at all five matches taking place on Wednesday…

Celtic v Hearts

The Hoops now enjoy a little cushion at the top of the table but have been less than convincing on occasions at Celtic Park this season, having lost the Old Firm clash before enduring successive draws against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Dundee United and Kilmarnock before Christmas.

Celtic were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw at Hamilton two weeks ago but have followed up with successive wins against Hibs away and Aberdeen at home to lie five points clear, albeit having played games more than the other title challengers.

Perhaps surprisingly there are more than one but Hearts proved at the weekend that they are still in the reckoning – at least at this stage – after beating Rangers 1-0 at Tynecastle last Saturday – and they lie in third place, seven points behind Wednesday’s opponents but having played a game less – meaning there is plenty at stake for both sides.

Hearts are unbeaten in the top-flight since October 31, when they lost 3-0 at home to Kilmarnock, and go into the match on an 11-match unbeaten away run.

Any game at Celtic is never going to be easy but 5/1 about an away win does offer some encouragement, although taking the 3/1 on the draw is the advice, given that Georgios Samaras and Daniel Majstorovic are ruled out for the hosts, while striker Kevin Kyle and Calum Elliot are struggling to make it for Hearts.

Hibernian v Rangers

It is another trip to Edinburgh for the champions as they look to bounce back from a surprise defeat to Hearts last weekend, but don’t expect lightning to strike twice in this one.

Rangers are of course now without the services of Kenny Miller, the club’s top scorer with 21 goals, following his move to Bursaspor but they should still have too much firepower for Hibs.

Defender Kirk Broadfoot remains on the sidelines for the Gers but he is the only concern and Hibs, who are second-bottom in the table, have not scored in five games and taken just one point from the last 18 available, will not be able to hold out.

An away win at 4/9 looks appealing given the difference between the two sides but backing Walter Smith’s men (-1) on the handicap at 21/20 is the way to go.

Inverness CT v Aberdeen

Inverness lie nine points clear of Aberdeen in the table but have played two games more and are in the middle of a dismal run of form, having picked up just two points from the last 18 available.

By contrast the Dons have started to pick up some points under Craig Brown and actually lie fifth in the form table, with 10 points accrued from the last six games.

There was no disgrace in losing 1-0 at Celtic on Saturday – a massive improvement following a 9-0 loss earlier in the season – and look good value at 2/1 to upset the home side (11/8).

St Johnstone v Motherwell

This looks a tough one to call with St Johnstone, having played a game less, looking to close the five-point gap on Motherwell, who ended an eight-game SPL winless streak with a 2-0 win over Hibs last time out.

The Saints have a fully-fit squad to choose from with Jamie Adams recovering from illness but the Steelmen may have regained confidence following the recent win – which was the first since they beat St Johnstone 4-0 at Fir Park in November.

It certainly has the prospect of being a tight battle and at 23/10, the prediction is an honourable draw.

St Mirren v Dundee United

St Mirren do not have the best of home records this season, with just two wins under their belt, but take on a Dundee United who are struggling to win on the road.

Both sides have a raft of injuries to contend with and the advice is to go with yet another Terrors draw on the road – they already have six from 10 games – at 9/4.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.