Hearts v Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Hearts coach John McGlynn was left disappointed by his side’s display in last weekend’s Edinburgh derby and will look for improvement despite being joint-top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. He will be without winger David Templeton after he accepted a two-match ban from the SFA for his kick at James McPake in last week’s Edinburgh derby. Caley Thistle will be without Owen Tudor Jones after his ordering-off against Kilmarnock last weekend. It was a win apiece and a draw last season -but three of the sides’ last five meetings have ended in 1-1 draws.
Kilmarnock v Motherwell
Killie have a doubt over Gary Harkins after he was concussed in the early minutes against Inverness C.T. last week. Garry Hay has a knee injury and striker Paul Heffernan is out for two months with a broken collarbone. Motherwell will be without defender Stevie Hammell after his ordering-off against St Johnstone last weekend. Motherwell’s next win will be their 100th over Killie – but they’re without a victory in the last six games between the sides.
Ross County v Celtic (Live on ESPN – 12.15pm)
County welcome back Stuart Kettlewell after suspension following two goalless draws in their first two Clydesdale Bank Premier League games. Celtic will be missing Charlie Mulgrew, who serves the second game of his suspension after a pre-season red card in Holland, and Dylan McGeouch, who’ll be out until the end of September after his broken jaw against Real Madrid in Philadelphia last weekend. Neil Lennon also has injury concerns over James Forrest and Scott Brown. The sides have never met on league duty – all three Cup games have finished 2-0, two for Celtic and the Staggies’ famous Scottish Cup semi-final win in 2010.
St Johnstone v AberdeenSaints will be missing Gregory Tade as he serves the second game of his suspension, while Rowan Vine is also missing after his red card at Motherwell last weekend. Because of that new signing Craig Beattie could make his debut despite not being fully fit. Aberdeen new signing Niall McGinn is out for a month after damaging ankle ligaments against Ross County. The odds are against St Johnstone – there hasn’t been a home win in this fixture in the last nine games between the sides.
St Mirren v Hibernian
Top against bottom in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. Table-topping Saints have Lewis Guy missing as he serves the second game of his two-match ban. Hibs will want to build on their home point against Hearts last weekend – and they have won on two of their last three visits to Paisley.
Dundee United v Dundee (Live on Sky Sports – 12.45pm Sunday)
United are playing catch-up in the first Dundee derby since April 2005 because they’d no game last weekend with opponents Celtic in Philadelphia to face Real Madrid. United have Gary Mackay-Steven, Johnny Russell, Gavin Gunning and Sean Dillon all doubtful for the game. Dundee are still searching for their first Clydesdale Bank Premier League goal of the season after a defeat and a draw. Dundee lost only one of the four SPL meetings between the sides eight seasons ago.
By cbfootball.co.uk Last updated:
16 August 2012