Motherwell v Hibernian (Friday 7.45pm, Live on ESPN)
The home side have Adam Cummins available again after suspension, and are hopeful fellow defender Shaun Hutchinson will be fit after he limped off against Hearts on Sunday with a hamstring injury. Hibs are again without midfielder Gary Deegan who’s recovering from being injured in an off-field incident. There have been 250 league meetings of the sides, with Hibs ahead in encounters with 102 wins. Expect goals – there have been 30 of them in the last five Fir Park meetings, including the Clydesdale Bank Premier League record 6-6 draw in May 2010.
Aberdeen v Dundee
The home side are on an eleven-game unbeaten run and Irish frontman Niall McGinn has scored four goals in his last four games but Dons youngster Ryan Jack is out for three months with a broken foot. Dundee are five points adrift of city neighbours United at the bottom of the table. Defender Davide Grassi may again require fluid drained from his knee to play and Colin Nish has a similar problem but is expected to make it. Last season’s Dons win in the League Cup tie between the sides was their first win in seven games against the Tayside men.
Celtic v Kilmarnock
Table-toppers Celtic will aim to continue their domestic form after their heroic display in Barcelona in midweek – they’ve won their last four league games without conceding a goal. Kilmarnock have one of the worst records at Celtic Park in the division – they haven’t won in Glasgow’s East End since a 2-0 win in December 1955. Kilmarnock have striker Danny Racchi out for six weeks with a knee injury although they are looking to seal the signing of Mahamadou Sissoko, following his release from Udinese, in time for the game.
Hearts v Ross County
Hearts have been placed under a transfer embargo until December 23rd over the late payment of October salaries for their players and staff, effectively ruling out a return for striker Rudi Skacel, who has been training with them. County got a boost last week with their first home win of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League season and striker Colin McMenamin will hope his winner last week will have earned him a starting spot. It’s ten years to the week since the clubs’ last meeting – a 3-0 Hearts win in the League Cup.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle v St Johnstone
Second-placed St Johnstone aim to make it six Clydesdale Bank Premier League games unbeaten but Gary Miller is doubtful after he was forced to limp off against Kilmarnock last weekend. Improving Caley Thistle have won four games in a row but failed to score a goal in three meetings with the Perth Saints last season.
St Mirren v Dundee United
United defender Sean Dillon has signed a new two-year deal at the club, tieing him to them until 2015. St Mirren aim to bounce back after last week’s home trouncing by Celtic while United are without a win in their last six league games. This is a fixture for the fixed odds coupon – five of the last six meetings, including all three last season, have ended in draws.
By cbfootball.co.uk Last updated:
25 October 2012