Aberdeen v Kilmarnock
The return of the two Jimmies to Pittodrie since their surprise sacking at the end of the previous season. Kilmarnock, Calderwood & Nichols' latest outpost are pure dire this season - you'd have to worry what happens them when Kyle leaves. Aberdeen are not much better, their striking problems underlined by the fact they're one goal short of being the lowest scoring team in Britain. Lee Miller looks set to leave the club, while McGhee is struggling to get new players in: Darren Barr can't make his mind up, while Steven McClean (soon to be released on a free from Plymouth) is just too darned expensive. A dire game in store, 1-1 is the final score. Go shopping instead.
Hibernian v Hamilton
Like Aberdeen, Accies are a team that lack a certain killer instinct up front. They've done well this season and seemed to have coped well with the departures of some of their top talent this season. Mind you, those marathon games against Rangers lately will have taken it out of them. Hibs are slumping slightly, with only two wins in their last five games and that defeat to United earlier this week saw the Arabs overtake them in third spot, a position that seemed so safe only a few weeks ago. Got to go with a Hibs win here, 2-1.
Motherwell v St Mirren
Getting knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Caley Thistle seems a shock at first glance, but Caley are a better side that most people give them credit for. Motherwell didn't play well, and that's something Craig Brown will want to put right soon if they're to remain in the top half of the table this season. St Mirren are doing ok at the moment and are not far off sixth place - a spot currently occupied by their opponents tomorrow. The good news for Motherwell is that St Mirren long ago stopped winning on the road - their last away victory was back in October when they beat bottom side Falkirk. Expect Motherwell to win this one, 3-1.
Rangers v Hearts
Hearts have quietly snuck up the table on the back of dour defensive performances. The text "Stewart (pen)" is fast becoming an internet meem, but fuck it, it get's them points and points win prizes! Rangers are carrying a lot of injuries, including Boyd (rumoured to be talking to Aston Villa), Miller, Naismith and Novo all injured. Given that this is one half of what is probably one of the worst Old Firm combos we've had since quite some time, you'd really think that more teams would beat them - unfortunately, the only team to have done so this season is Aberdeen. I reckon Hearts might well do it here, and there's nothing like beating Rangers at Ibrox with an 89th minute "Stewart (pen)". So folks, this is my cheeky bet for this weekend, Hearts to win 1-0.
Falkirk v Dundee United (Sunday)
Researching this piece I read a few match reports from Falkirk's game against Kilmarnock during the week, and nearly all of them used the word 'unlucky' to describe the defeat suffered at the hands of an 83rd minute Pascali goal for Kilmarnock. The Bairns have been at the bottom for most of the season, but they've slowly been catching up with Kilmarnock, the current gap being just the one point. So this weekend is a good chance to overtake Killie, should they lose away to Aberdeen. They first have to get past Dundee United who seem to have gotten their season back on the rails after a series of distinctly unimpressive results. Still, Falkirk will be unlucky again, and Dundee United will get three points tomorrow. Final score, Falkirk 0, Dundee United 1.
St Johnstone v Celtic (Sunday)
St Johnstone are enjoying a pleasant return to the SPL, languishing in the bottom half of the table but in no real danger of going back down again, unless Killie and Falkirk suddenly hit a freak-streak of form. They put in a good performance in the Scottish Cup to ease past Forfar, while their opponents Celtic made hard work of their win against Morton. With Rangers having already played by the time this game kicks off in Perth, Tony Mowbray will be looking for a win to keep the pressure on Rangers - there's nine points of a difference now, but Celtic have a game in hand so clearly every game is vital. A must-win game for Celtic, but I reckon they'll do it. 2-1 to the Hoops.
Keep an eye out for
» First division leaders Dundee, who take on second placed Queen of the South at Palmerston Park. There's 11 points of a difference between the two sides, and it's hard to see Dundee fuck this up, but you never know.
» Second division's Cowdenbeath, who travel to Dumbarton hoping to extend their fragile lead at the top of the table. The Blue Brazil's good form continues, but with second placed Stirling (soon to be the Stirling Meerkats) not giving up the chase (they're only two points behind) every game is a six-pointer.
» Third division bottom side Montrose, who face a tough game against East Stirling. Montrose recorded a rare win a few days ago when they beat Edinburgh City to reach the next round of the competition when they face another Edinburgh side, Hibernian, who won't be as forgiving as City where. The week before Montrose managed to waste away a 2-goal lead with 18 minutes to go to lose 4-5 to Stranraer, keeping their unenviable record of being the only team in senior football in Scotland yet to win a game this season.
Right, that's it! Enjoy the games, wherever they may be!
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