Saturday's SPL card sees five games take place across Scotland and it's all to play for, with a few clubs keen to shake off some unwanted records with badly needed victories.
Celtic host Kilmarnock at Parkhead knowing that they are four games without a win in front of their home fans and they will look to returning striker Marc-Antoine Fortune to end their home scoring drought as he completes his recovery from a knee injury.
The hosts will again be without Artur Boruc and Scott Brown with leg and ankle injuries respectively, with fears that the pair could also miss next week’s Europa League fixture in Hamburg. Creative midfielder Shaun Maloney has tendonitis and will undergo a late fitness test, while captain Stephen McManus is suspended following his red card in the Co-operative Insurance Cup defeat to Hearts on Wednesday.
Cameron Bell will be handed the task of prolonging the Parkhead club’s agony in front of goal, earning a rare start in goals for Kilmarnock as on-loan Mark Brown is unable to play against his employers. Defender Ryan O’Leary is available to play after recovering from a knock which kept him out of his side’s win over St Johnstone last weekend.
Also on the west coast on Saturday is St Mirren's home tie with Hamilton Accies. St Mirren finally got their first win at their new stadium a few weeks ago and have been banging in the goals ever since, scoring six in their last two fixtures. Hamilton meanwhile have the worst goal difference in the division.
For the Saints, Michael Higdon and Steven Thomson have both been struck down by a virus this week but are hoping to be fit for kick-off. Higdon had been suffering earlier in the week but left his sick bed to lead the line in Saints’ 3-0 cup win over Motherwell. Thomson missed the game with the same complaint.
Hamilton will be boosted by the return of ex-St Mirren midfielder Gary Mason, who should be fit after picking up a knock last week. Club captain Alex Neil is still working towards full fitness after hip surgery and is likely to start on the substitute’s bench. Derek Lyle and James Gibson remain long-term absentees with knee problems and Gary Gow is out with a broken elbow.
Motherwell will be looking to get their recent good form back on track after a disappointing 3-0 loss to St Mirren in the cup in midweek with a win against Hearts. Stevie Hammell and Paul Slane are out for Motherwell for the visit of Hearts owing to hamstring and calf injuries respectively. ‘Well manager Jim Gannon otherwise has no fresh injury concerns.
Csaba Laszlo will be without defender Marius Zaliukas until December, with his ankle injury feared worse than originally hoped. Winger Suso Santana will undergo hernia surgery next week but will feature in the match at Fir Park. Goalkeeper Marian Kello is also available after returning from a shoulder injury. Doubts remain over midfielder Ian Black, who is rated 50-50 with a hamstring injury, while Laryea Kingston (hamstring), Callum Elliot (knee) and David Templeton (foot) are all definitely out.
Over in the east, Hibs could go top of the league if they can get a win over Aberdeen and other results go their way. John Hughes' men sit three points behind leaders Celtic and will be boosted by their point taken from Ibrox last weekend.
Hibs defender Sol Bamba is expected to recover from a knee injury in time to retain his place, meaning Hughes will have a full squad to choose from. Aberdeen have doubts over midfielder Peter Pawlett, who didn’t train on Friday because of a troublesome back injury. Forward Tommy Wright is in contention for the visitors, having missed every game so far this campaign with a knee problem. Davide Grassi (cheekbone) and Zander Diamond (ankle) remain on the sidelines.
Finally on Saturday, Falkirk are still searching for their first win of the season and have the incentive of overtaking their hosts St Johnstone with a much-needed victory.
Midfielder Jody Morris has recovered from a virus in time to play for Derek McInnes' side, but doubts remain over three players, with Martin Hardie, Collin Samuel and Kevin Moon all extremely doubtful. Striker Steven Milne will definitely miss out with an ankle injury, but Jonatan Johansson should make his league debut for the Saints.
Falkirk's cause isn't helped by news that midfielder Burton O’Brien will not travel to Perth because of a stomach muscle strain. Bairns boss Eddie May will also give late fitness tests to Danijel Marceta, Brian McLean and Ryan Flynn, who all picked up heavy knocks in the goalless draw with Hearts. Carl Finnigan (ankle) and Tam Scobbie (pelvis) remain on the sidelines.
