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.

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Liverpool

The Reds forward picked up the problem during training with the Netherlands squad (2/7f – to win Euro 2012 Group E) on Monday and was flown back to the UK for further treatment.

The 30-year-old underwent tests and the Liverpool club doctor Peter Brukner confirmed that Kuyt is likely to be missing for a month.

Having suffered “damage to the A-C joint”, the Dutchman is set to miss several big games for his club over the coming weeks.

Kuyt, who scored in the Netherlands 5-0 win over San Marino on Friday, looks set to be sidelined for six Liverpool (11/1 – to win 2010-11 Europa League) matches.

The former Feyenoord man is expected to miss the Premier League games against Birmingham, Manchester United and Sunderland, the Europa League fixtures with Steaua Bucharest and FC Utrecht, as well as the Carling Cup tie against Northampton.

The absence of Kuyt, who had been linked with a summer move to Inter Milan, will be a major blow to Roy Hodgson, who is already short of attacking options.

There has been some welcome news though for the Reds boss, regarding the fitness of Fernando Torres.

The Spaniard’s start to the season has been sporadic because of an injury sustained in this summer?s World Cup final.

The Reds’ medical team were keen to make sure that he is not rushed back too soon, despite the fans eagerness to see Torres firing in the goals.

But the striker showed in the recent win over West Brom, when he scored the only goal, that he is making good progress and has promised the supporters that the best is yet to come.

The 26-year-old said: “The recuperation is perfect and we have waited our time. I am still not 100 per cent, but the people will soon see the best Torres.

“Each time I am recuperating sensations and I hope to obtain success with Liverpool this season.”

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Cesc Fabregas

The Spain midfielder has openly expressed a desire to return to the club he left as a 16-year-old in 2003 and is understood to have told manager Arsene Wenger he wants to move back to his homeland.

“An informal conversation with Arsenal became formal on 1 June and now an official approach has been made to the club,” said a Barca spokesman.

The Catalan giants have long held an interest in Fabregas, who is currently with Spain’s World Cup squad, and have now registered a formal offer for the 23-year-old.

The Barca spokesman added on BBC Sport: “Before 1 June, under English rules, we could not make an official approach to Arsenal for Fabregas, but that changed on Tuesday.

“I don’t think there is a special advance on, say, the price or anything, but it has moved on now.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Xavi insisted he was now “certain” his Spain (21/10 to be Europe’s top team at the World Cup) team-mate would leave north London for the Nou Camp.

“It had to be like this,” said Xavi. “Two years ago, I said Cesc would end up playing for Barcelona, and now it is clearer than ever.

“He has also expressed publicly that he wants to come to Barcelona and when a player wants to move to some place he ends up going. It is clear that Cesc will come to Barcelona.”

Fabregas signed an eight-year contract with the Gunners in 2006 but has made no secret of his desire to play for Barcelona.

Barca director general Joan Oliver revealed on the club’s official website: “Everyone knows that Cesc wants to play with Barca and everyone knows we want him to sign but here there is a third actor that is Arsenal.

“Yesterday [Tuesday] we presented a concrete offer and have written to Arsenal.”

The vice-president of the Catalan club, Rafael Yuste, added: “We are hoping we can sign Cesc as soon as possible.

“I am optimistic. It is clear that he is family and we would greet his return with a warm embrace. For this reason we don’t want to do anything that would harm his signing. We don’t want to rush but neither will we stop.”

Fabregas would become Barca’s second major signing of the summer following the capture of Spain team-mate David Villa for £34m from Valencia.

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