Celtic v Dundee
Champions Celtic will be without injured pair Georgios Samaras and Paddy McCourt, while Gary Hooper could be available again after starting the midweek Champions League draw with Benfica on the bench. Dundee haven’t won at Celtic Park since May 2001 when a Fabien Caballero double gave the Dens men a 2-0 win. They’ve managed just two draws in the fifteen meetings since, although they did take the lead on their last visit to Celtic Park in the Scottish Cup three years ago, only for Scott Brown and Aiden McGeady to give Celtic a 2-1 win. Celtic are unbeaten at home in twenty Clydesdale Bank Premier League games. The visitors will be without defender Davide Grassi who’s out for six weeks after knee surgery.
Dundee United v Hearts
United fear captain Jon Daly will be out for two weeks after missing the home draw with Ross County through a knee injury. Hearts have won only one of the last twelve meetings of the clubs – by 2-1 in February 2011. The Tynecastle side were once again late paying the wages of some of their players this week.
Hibernian v Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Caley Thistle will be without Welsh midfielder Owen Tudur Jones – he’s suspended for three games after his second red card of the season against Aberdeen last weekend, while Shane Sutherland could be out for a lengthy spell after being stretchered off with a knee injury last weekend. Leigh Griffiths has been officially credited with last week’s opening goal against Kilmarnock to take his total for the season for Hibs to five. Pat Fenlon’s side could go top of the table – for 24 hours at least – if they were to win over Caley Thistle. Jonny Hayes – now with Aberdeen – scored for Inverness C.T in three of the four games against Hibs last season.
Kilmarnock v St Mirren
Saints have signed defender Paul McGinn from Queen’s Park – his brother John already plays for St Mirren. Saints won three of the four meetings last season – and there’s only been one draw in the last thirteen matches between the clubs. Kilmarnock have lost three of their last five games.
Ross County v St Johnstone
Ross County could give a debut to new signing Mark Fotheringham, while Saints could be without Murray Davidson after he went off injured early in the win over Celtic. Steve Lomas’ side look to build on their win over the champions last weekend against the side who are 40 league games unbeaten. Four of County’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League fixtures have ended goalless. Ross County haven’t won a league game against Saints since October 2005 – eleven meetings ago. Twelve of the 27 meetings of the clubs have ended in draws.
Aberdeen v Motherwell (Live on Sky Sports – Sunday 12.45pm)
Aberdeen could be without defender Russell Anderson through suspension but the club have appealed his red card against Inverness C.T. last weekend. Table-topping Motherwell will look to continue their strong start to the season which has seen them unbeaten in six Clydesdale Bank Premier League matches. Aberdeen haven’t won any of the last ten league meetings of the clubs and Motherwell have won on each of their last three visits to Pittodrie.
By cbfootball.co.uk Last updated:
20 September 2012