Aberdeen v Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock will be missing Gary Harkins who’s out for six weeks with a broken ankle. Aberdeen have sold captain Ricky Foster to Bristol City but they have brought in former Motherwell defender Mark Reynolds on loan from Sheffield Wednesday. Former Celtic and Hibs striker Derek Riordan played in a trial game in midweek for Kilmarnock and they have signed central defender Michael Nelson from Scunthorpe. In the last seven meetings on the sides Kilmarnock have won five although Aberdeen have hit a run of form recently, losing only once in their last 6 games.
Celtic v Dundee United
Celtic’s Beram Kayal has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with an ankle injury. United have snapped up Ross County midfielder Michael Gardyne on a pre contractual agreement as a replacement for Scott Allan, who's signed for West Brom. They will have Gavin Gunning back after he missed the Cup win at Airdrie, while both Keith Watson and Danny Swanson are closing in on full fitness. United haven’t won at Parkhead since December 1992 – but six of their last twelve visits to face Celtic in Glasgow have ended drawn.
Dunfermline Athletic v Hibernian
It’s a crunch game at the foot of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with bottom playing second-bottom and Dunfermline are unbeaten in the last five meetings of the clubs. They’ve met 100 times in the league with Hibs winning 44. Home ‘keeper Paul Gallacher is out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury, so the club have signed Preston’s Scottish ‘keeper Iain Turner on loan until the end of the season. Hibs’ Leigh Griffiths has been offered a one-game ban by the SFA for a gesture to his own fans after scoring in Saturday’s Cup victory at Cowdenbeath, although Hibs are appealing this decision. His team-mate Sean O’Hanlon is ruled out through suspension while Victor Palsson has had his Easter Road contract terminated by mutual agreement.
Hearts v St Mirren
St Mirren have skipper Jim Goodwin back after suspension but have won only one of the last eight meetings of the sides. Danny Lennon’s side have drawn four of their last six games, while Hearts are unbeaten in five.
Motherwell v Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Former Motherwell striker Richie Foran is suspended for Caley Thistle and the highlanders will also be without midfielder David Davis who has returned to Wolves after his loan, but Motherwell welcome back midfielder Steve Jennings after league suspension. Inverness C.T. haven’t won on any of their last eight visits to Motherwell – but ‘Well’s home record shows they have won only one of their last seven league games.
St Johnstone v Rangers (12.30)
Rangers have won ten of the last twelve meetings of the sides but have lost the last two meetings at McDiarmid Park by 2-0. Saints have won their last three games and have agreed a deal to extend CSKA Sofia striker Cillian Sheridan's Perth loan deal until the end of the season. Rangers will be without Steven Whittaker for the next six weeks after a groin operation, as well as Kyle Lafferty, who's out until the end of February with a hamstring injury, and Lee McCulloch who serves the second game of his suspension. Victory in the early kick-off would see Ally McCoist's side return to the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League - for a couple of hours at least.
By cbfootball.co.uk Last updated:
13 January 2012