Saturday 19 January 2008 (all times local)12.30 Hearts – Hibernian
15:00 Celtic – Kilmarnock
15:00 Dundee Utd – Aberdeen
15:00 Gretna – Falkirk
15.00 St Mirren - Motherwell
Sunday 20 January 2008
14.00 Inverness CT – Rangers
Hearts - Hibernian
The lunchtime Edinburgh derby kicks of this week’s SPL card, with much to prove for both teams.
Hearts need to start picking up points to climb from 11th place - a shocking position by their standards. New Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen, meanwhile, will take charge for his first SPL game.
Brian Kerr (pictured) fired a debut goal in this fixture on the first day of the season, which also proved to be the winner. Since the inception of a top flight in 1975, neither side has won all four league derbies in a season.
Andrew Driver and goalie Steve Banks should shake off knocks for Hearts, who drew 2-2 in an emotional Scottish Cup tie with Motherwell last week.
Steven Fletcher could return for Hibs ahead of schedule, while new signing John Rankin from St Mirren is in line for a debut. David Murphy, though, has completed a move to Birmingham.
With both teams incredibly in the bottom six, this game is crucial. These rivals could cancel each other out, though, with a draw doing neither side many favours.
Prediction: 1-1
Celtic - Kilmarnock
The former leaders find themselves under pressure for the first time in recent memory. With the Hoops four points behind nemeses Rangers, Jan Venegoor of Hesselink admitted this week that Celtic must start winning ugly.
Andreas Hinkel made a competent debut in the comfortable 3-0 cup win over minnows Stirling last week and should make his SPL debut here. Shunsuke Nakamura also returned for that game, with the Japanese in contention.
Killie haven’t won in their previous nine away matches, but left Celtic Park with a credible 0-0 draw in August.
Contract rebel Colin Nish is reportedly hoping for a move to Hibernian this month, with the Rugby Park side losing faith with his failure to sign a new deal.
Kilmarnock may be rusty after their cup trip to Airdrie United was hit by last week’s freeze. They should keep this one tight, but Celtic have enough quality to edge it.
Prediction: 2-1
Dundee Utd - Aberdeen
This fixture was dubbed the ‘New Firm’ derby in the 1980s when these sides were at their Euro-conquering best. More recently, the term has been used ironically to mock the faded retro glories.
However, the game should be a bit spicier tomorrow, with both sides going well. The teams are tied at 1-1 in the season series. They occupy 5th and 4th place respectively.
Tannadice was a fortress earlier in the season, but the Arabs have lost three of their last six here. Captain Barry Robson was watched by Celtic assistant Tommy Burns in the midweek cup win at Clyde, with his future at United unclear.
Aberdeen’s contract rebels are largely still at the club with the exception of winger Chris Clark, who has left for Plymouth. The Dons are targeting Dundee Utd defender Stuart Duff, but no agreement has been reached as yet.
With Stevie Lovell finally banging them in – three in five – Aberdeen could snatch a late goal in a tight game.
Prediction: 0-1
Gretna - Falkirk
It’s hard to read into the form of the SPL basement boys. They equalised against Rangers in midweek, but were undone by the fitter Glasgow giants. Although, it’s not just the big boys who outlast the plucky upstarts, as First Division Morton pegged them back in the cup last week.
Falkirk have beaten Gretna in the only three matches played between the sides; scoring nine without reply. The cup break came at a bad time for high-flying Falkirk, but a 2-2 draw against Aberdeen will have kept the Bairns on their toes.
Skipper Steven Thomson has left for Brighton, with Darren Barr set to lead out John Hughes’ men.
Although Falkirk are in the unfamiliar role of overwhelming favourites, they continue to defy explanation and should romp home again.
Prediction: 1-4
St Mirren - Motherwell
The home side beat Hibs and minnows Dumbarton in their last two games. The latter was a 3-0 cup win, which will give the beleaguered Buddies a huge morale boost.
Gary Mason is suspended for Saints.
Visitors Motherwell, meanwhile, are coming off a turbulent few weeks. The death of skipper Phil O’Donnell and subsequent complications threatened to derail their stellar half-season. However, a battling 2-2 cup draw at Hearts shows that the 3rd placed side has some character.
The Steelmen will be forced to re-jig their established back four, as Jim Paterson will serve the first of a two game ban. Marc Fitzpatrick is set to deputise.
Like any other form team, Motherwell will suffer a dip soon. It won’t be at Love Street, though.
Prediction: 1-2
Inverness CT - Rangers
Like Danny Glover before him, Caley player-boss Craig Brewster declared, “I’m gettin’ too old for this shirt” this week. He will hang up his boots at the end of the season to concentrate on taking the Highlanders to untold lands of adventure (the top six).
The home side’s incredible turnaround – seven wins from nine after a poor start – was halted by a 3-0 cup humbling at the hands of Hibernian. However, it was Mixu Paatelinen’s first game in charge and therefore the Hibees were bound to react positively.
The visit of Rangers will be a far clearer indication of how far Thistle have progressed since the Gers turned them over here on the opening day of the season.
League leaders Rangers – it’s been a long time since we could say that without joking – have been hitting top form of late. Barry Ferguson smashed a glorious opener in the midweek win over St Mirren, with Stevie Naismith, Chris Burke and Daniel Cousin combining to suddenly transform Rangers into world beaters.
Thus, if they can beat the world they can certainly beat Caley.
Prediction: 1-3
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