Scottish Premier League Preview

Aberdeen v Hamilton

The Scottish Premier League officially splits in April, where the top six and the bottom six become separated and play within two mini-leagues.

Followers of Scottish football will, however, have become accustomed to an unofficial split in the table around this time of year.

This is when the Old Firm break off and form their two team battle for the title, a few others get ready for the Europa League scrap, and the rest consign themselves to a relegation battle.

This season, however, the Old Firm are being joined by Hibernian and Dundee United at the top. While that is good news for Scottish football as a whole, they will be doing it without the well wishes of Aberdeen.

The Dons, at present, are in danger of being so far behind the top four that they can only realistically aim for fifth. With the lack of European places, fifth place generally means very little in the grand scheme of things.

Mark McGhee, therefore, knows his side need to start picking up the points more often than they have been if they are to close the gap and avoid a frustrating few months of having nothing to play for.

Dons defender Jerel Ifil was sent off last week against Celtic in an incident that provoked his own manager to describe him as 'stupid'. He is now suspended for the games against Hamilton and Hibernian following a two-match ban.

Midfielder Fraser Fyvie is doubtful with a groin strain, but Mark Kerr returns to the midfield after his suspension. Sone Aluko may also be back in the red shirt.

Defender Zander Diamond is still not match fit and unlikely to be used despite Ifil's absence.

Hamilton have striker Leon Knight serving a suspension after he was one of the many red carded in last week's win over Hearts.

Apart from long-term injury casualties Derek Lyle and James Gibson, manager Billy Reid has no fresh injury worries.

The Accies were worthy winners last week against Hearts with a fine 2-1 win and they also won at Pittodrie last season and will not fear this trip.

With Aberdeen's defensive troubles evident, it will be another makeshift back four which will give Hamilton much hope of breaching it, but the Dons will be eager to bounce back after a disappointing performance against Celtic, and should just edge it.

Prediction: Aberdeen 2-1 Hamilton

Heart of Midlothian v Dundee United

Hearts have a problem with being out of the spotlight. Currently, they are in the bottom six, unlikely to go down but even less likely to repeat their third place finish of last season.

They are sitting in the shadows watching Edinburgh rivals Hibs battle for the league, and that must irk them. So much so, that they stole all the Monday morning headlines by treating us to the mother of all rammies (that's handbags for the non-Scots) in the tunnel after their defeat to Hamilton.

That of course means that they picked up a pile of red cards, which will cost them on and off the pitch.

Michael Stewart's red card was overturned so he is available for selection, but no such luck for Ismael Bouzid, Ian Black and Suso Santana.

Ruben Palazuelos returns after attending the birth of his first child, Jason Thomson is back from a hamstring problem, while Lee Wallace and Jamie Mole should also be fit.

Hearts did have a major goalkeeper crisis, with Janos Balogh and Marian Kello injured, however both should be fit, but striker Callum Elliot is a major doubt.

Dundee United will give late fitness tests to defenders Garry Kenneth and Mihael Kovacevic.

Prince Buaben and Morgaro Gomis are suspended, but Scott Robertson is fit again. Lee Wilkie is still out, so is Francisco Sandaza but he has returned to training.

With the amount of players missing, Dundee United manager Craig Levein has already commented it could be like a reserve game. One thing is for sure, both these two are fired up for games at the moment, and this has the makings of a belter.

Prediction: Hearts 2-2 Dundee United

Kilmarnock v Hibernian

Kilmarnock duo Tim Clancy and Alan Combe are still a few weeks away from returning to the side, but, apart from the aforementioned twosome, have the same squad that won at St Johnstone last week. 

Hibernian have a decision to make over which goalkeeper to pick, Graham Stack or Yves Ma-Kalambay while midfielders Kevin McBride and Kevin McCann are out.

Hibs continue their quest to split, or even topple, the Old Firm although they may find it tricky at a Kilmarnock side who posted a much needed away win in Perth last week and will fancy their chances.

Prediction: Kilmarnock 1-1 Hibernian

Motherwell v Celtic

Manager Jim Gannon will perhaps be upset about the timing of this game, as it threatens to get in the way of his war on anything and everything in Scottish Football. Gannon, though, will grudgingly have to go back to his boring day job of being a football manager for one afternoon.

The Steelmen will hope Steve Jennings is fit again after missing the last two games with an ankle injury.

Shaun Hutchinson (hamstring) and Chris Humphrey (ankle) have yet to return to training while Marc Fitzpatrick, Darren Smith and Paul Slane are continuing their rehabilitation following surgery.

Celtic have no fresh injury worries, except for long-term absentees Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney. 

The Hoops can go five points clear of second-placed Rangers for a few hours at least with a win in their lunchtime kick-off in Lanarkshire. Despite three wins in a row, though, they still look vulnerable, and a Motherwell side who have not lost many games this season could hold them to a draw.

Prediction: Motherwell 1-1 Celtic

Rangers v St Johnstone

Allan McGregor misses out for Rangers so Neil Alexander is handed the goalkeeper gloves once again. 

Kirk Broadfoot is back in training, but won't make this one.

Kris Boyd and Steven Naismith both return, but Maurice Edu has suffered a minor setback in his recovery from knee surgery after picking up an ankle injury.

St Johnstone captain Kevin Rutkiewicz will miss out after suffering a medial ligament injury in training which could keep him sidelined for three months, the second major injury the ex-Aberdeen defender has had this season.

Striker Collin Samuel needs surgery and won't make it, and defender Stuart McCaffrey is struggling with a groin strain.

After a disappointing home defeat last week for the Saints, everything points to an emphatic Rangers win, but the champions' injury problems could prove a factor and St Johnstone might just give them a harder test than expected.

Prediction: Rangers 2-1 St Johnstone

St Mirren v Falkirk

Craig Dargo and Lee Mair are doubts for St Mirren, Andy Dorman has a hamstring injury while Allan Johnston misses out after suffering a recurrence of a groin injury.

French midfielder Toufik Zerara comes into the Falkirk squad. The 23-year-old could make his debut after joining on a one-month deal in midweek.

Sean Lynch (hamstring), Mark Stewart (stomach), Jackie McNamara (knee), Burton O'Brien (hernia) and Tam Scobbie (pelvis) remain on the sidelines.

As the two favourites for relegation clash, this has the negative 'relegation clash' looming over it. Falkirk look by far the weakest of the two, and although they have sprung the odd shock this season, the home side should win this.

Prediction: St Mirren 1-0 Falkirk

Andrew Southwick, Goal.com