It is another action-packed weekend across Scotland and things are closing up at the top and the bottom of the SPL. Lets take a closer look at the games and see who will be celebrating on Saturday night.
Hearts v Rangers
Rangers will be looking to jump ahead of Celtic at the top of the table, even if it is just for a few hours, when they travel to Tynecastle to take on a Hearts side, who are enjoying a great run. Walter Smith’s side have won three games on the bounce to ensure they sit only two points behind their Old Firm rivals having played two matches less.
The Gers will be without Kenny Miller, who has completed a move to Turkish champions Bursaspor, but even without their 21-goal striker you would expect Rangers to field a strong forward line.
Hearts are in a good run of form and have won nine of their last 10 SPL matches, and it is a run which should give Jim Jeffries and the Jambos reason to be confident.
Prediction: Rangers have not lost on the road all season in the league and that should continue with an away win priced at 5/6.
Celtic v Aberdeen
Celtic demolished Aberdeen 9-0 the last time these two teams met and Swedish star Freddie Ljundberg seems set to make his home debut in the game. That hammering back in November started the end of Mark McGhee’s time in charge but Craig Brown has steadied the ship since he arrived and they are now unbeaten in four games.
Neil Lennon will know his side cannot afford to slip-up and let Rangers get ahead of them in the title race and this is the first of three games between Celtic and Aberdeen to take place over the next 11 days.
Prediction: A win for Celtic at 2/9, but don’t expect another 9-0 at 125/1.
Inverness CT v Hamilton
Inverness continue to ride in the top half of the SPL but have a poor home record and that could give rock-bottom Hamilton some reason to feel confident of adding to their two wins so far this season.
However, the visitors cannot seem to stop conceding on the road so far this term and they face a side that were unlucky not to take points off Rangers in their last game. Terry Butcher has spoken this week of feeling like Inverness were “not wanted” in the SPL, but that could change if they keep on impressing this season.
Prediction: Inverness have only won 2 of 10 games in front of their home fans but Hamilton won’t stop them getting a result here at 4/5.
Kilmarnock v Dundee Utd
Kilmarnock have been struggling to find some form in recent games but are still holding onto their fourth-placed spot. Dundee United beat Motherwell in their last game and boast the dangerous David Goodwillie up front.
Prediction: Both sides are capable of winning, but a draw at 23/10 is a likely outcome.
Motherwell v Hibernian
Motherwell have signed Mike Grella and Steve Jones on loan until the end of the season and both players could make their debuts at Fir Park. Both of these teams are struggling, with Hibernian in particular under-performing this season. It is likely to be a tight match between the two but Motherwell should be buoyed by the fact Hibs are on a run of nine games without a win.
Prediction: Motherwell will edge it, priced at 10/11.
St Johnstone v St Mirren
Both teams are struggling for form and points and look destined for a long and painful relegation battle between now and the end of the season.
Prediction: All signs point to a bore draw at 5/2.
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Craig Levein has refused to confirm or deny if Kenny Miller will start for Scotland against Czech Republic on Friday following reports the in-form Rangers ace will be dropped for the Euro 2012 qualifier (Czech Rep 4/6, Scotland 22/5, the draw 13/5).