We start - as always - in the SPL. Tony Mowbray begins to feel the heat as the gap between Celtic and Rangers doesn't look like getting smaller anytime soon. Hibernian and Dundee United likewise need all the points they can get to keep in the race for second place, while both Kilmarnock and Falkirk look for unlikely wins to avoid spending next season travelling to far-away exotic locations such as Dingwall and Ayr.
Aberdeen (6th » WWLWW) v Motherwell (7th » DWLWL)
Aberdeen recorded only their second back-to-back win this season with that fine victory against Hearts in midweek. Youngster Fraser Fyvie set a new record as the SPL's youngest scorer, aged just 16, taking over the crown from Dundee United's David Goodwillie. If the Dons can overcome an inconsistency that has hampered their season so far (and the signs are there), then perhaps McGhee can salvage something after all. Motherwell have now made Craig Brown their permanent manager and celebrated the fact with a dour 0-0 draw against bottom side Falkirk. That Lukas Jutkiewicz has extended his loan deal until the end of the season is good news as the Everton forward has chipped in with 8 league goals so far this season. Final score: 2-1.
Hamilton (10th » DLLLL) v Celtic (2nd » LWDDD)
The Accies have hit a recent run of form that has seen them drop down the table. Admittedly, those four defeats have come against the top four sides so perhaps it can be forgiven, but it doesn’t auger well for Reid and his men when they face another top four side desperate for points. In Accies' favour is the fact that Celtic have only won 2 of their last away games; unfortunately, both those wins came against teams in the lower half of the league. Final score: 0-3.
Hibernian (3rd » WWLWD) v St Mirren (9th » LLLWW)
With the arrival of Anthony Stokes, Hibernian have dealt with the loss of Stephen Fletcher quite well. The 5-1 defeat of Hamilton and the 2-1 win against Celtic in midweek keeps them in the chase for the all-important Champions League place. Confidence is high in East Edinburgh, precisely the sorts of conditions that can lead to a nasty slip-up. St Mirren look a lot safer this year than last, but the wins have been hard to come by lately. The Buddies haven’t scored a goal in their last three games, pointing to a problem that could well see their progress this season undone. Final score: 2-0
Kilmarnock (11th » WLLDL) v Dundee Utd (4th » DWWWW)
Alas poor Kilmarnock. Still without a league win under new management (their win over Falkirk was in the Cup), in Dundee United they face a formidable opponent, spurred on by a run of good results and a team very much in the running for third - dare we say even second? - spot. United have recovered well since that 7-1 drubbing at Ibrox; the 3-3 draw with St Johnstone brought to an end a four-run winning streak. Calderwood has so far not been able to turn his team's fortunes around and it's hard to see Kilmarnock getting anything out of this game. Final score: 0-2.
Rangers (1st » WDWWD) v Falkirk (12th » DLLDL)
We said in another article on the site that the league is over for this season - the ten-point gap that separates Rangers from Celtic is too big to bridge in our opinion. This game is the sort of game that Rangers should absolutely walk, a safe three points if ever there was one. Falkirk are bottom of the league, without a win since the middle of December (against Killie) and are in dire straits. I can't see them getting anything out of this game, other than a good going over by a team that cannot afford to drop points. Final score: 3-0.
St Johnstone (8th » DLWWW) v Hearts (5th » LDWLD)
It looks like St Johnstone will survive their first season back in the SPL. And that's good news too: they've been a breath of fresh air this season, playing some nice football and scoring lots of goals (their 'Goals For' is the fifth highest in the league). It's a pity they concede so many - 37 goals so far, five more than bottom side Falkirk. Hearts' ambitions took a knock in that 3-0 defeat to Aberdeen, keeping that fourth place far off in the distance. Hearts are turning into the Michael Stewart show, something they'll want to rectify if they're going to make the chase for European football come to anything. Final score: 1-1.
Division One
In a tight league, this weekend is exceptionally juicy, with the top six teams all playing each other. Leaders Dundee take on second placed Ross County, while Dunfermline - fresh from their extra-time victory over Stenhousemuir - welcome third placed Queen of the South. And to really push it over the edge, Inverness Caley will play the team just above them, Partick Thistle. There will be no change at the top of the division - Dundee are too many points ahead, but with the results going the right way, the situation from 2nd to 6th could be completely turned on it's head.
Division Two
While there's no change at the top of Division One this weekend, in Division Two we could have a new leader as Cowdenbeath take on Stirling Albion. With third placed Alloa taking on second-from-bottom Arbroath, the pressure on Stirling to win takes on an extra dimension: a defeat at Cowdenbeath and win for Alloa would see The Beanos slip into third spot.
Division Three
Livingston will be looking to keep their hold on the Third division going: they welcome Queens Park to the Almondvale tomorrow, in the hope that East Stirling slip up against third-from-bottom Stranraer. Berwick, currently in third place will make sure that Montrose do not record their first victory of the season when they meet tomorrow.
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