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Ian Crocker and Andy Walker's Scottish Premiership predictor

Andy Walker & Ian Crocker take you though the weekend's Scottish Premiership fixtures
Image: Andy Walker & Ian Crocker take you though the weekend's Scottish Premiership fixtures

Following last week's international break, it is back to Scottish Premiership action again as Celtic move ever closer to the title.

Following his heroics for Scotland, Stuart Armstrong will look to cap a memorable seven days by helping Celtic mathematically wrap up the league.

Brendan Rodgers' men can clinch the Scottish Premiership where they started their defence on August 7, at Tynecastle. A win against Hearts on Sunday would make them impossible to catch, although that has been known for some time already.

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Highlights of Scotland’s Group F World Cup qualifier against Slovenia from Hampden Park

However, if Aberdeen lose to Dundee on Friday night then Celtic will have won the trophy by the time their team bus rolls into Tynecastle. A draw would also be enough for the champions elect should the match at Dens Park end all square.

Elsewhere in the Premiership, Rangers host Motherwell in the fifth meeting between the teams already this season. The Ibrox side have won all four, scoring eight and conceding two.

Bottom side Hamilton take on fourth-placed St Johnstone, where David Templeton could make his Accies debut after signing there on a contract until the end of the season.

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Former Celtic player Davie Provan has praised the club's manager Brendan Rodgers for guiding them to be unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership

Ross County will seek to reignite their top-six ambition when they travel to Partick Thistle. Thistle currently occupy 6th spot but a win for Jim McIntyre's side will take them to within three points of the Firhill club.

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Inverness are level on points with Hamilton at the foot of the table and haven't won in three league matches. They host Kilmarnock, who have won three and drawn three of their last eight games.

Sky Sports Scotland's commentary team of Ian Crocker and Andy Walker are on hand to take you through their thoughts on this weekend's fixtures.

Dundee v Aberdeen - Friday 7.45pm

Andy Walker's prediction:
Dundee 2-3 Aberdeen

Key player: Andrew Considine

The ultimate one-club man at Aberdeen these days, he remains an important part of a defence second only to Celtic this season.

Aberdeen's Andrew Considine celebrates
Image: Andrew Considine celebrates one of his three goals for Aberdeen this season

Ian Crocker's prediction:
Dundee 1-2 Aberdeen

Key player: Jonny Hayes

Always a lively presence, guaranteed to make things happen.

Aberdeen's Jonny Hayes has extended his deal with Aberdeen
Image: Aberdeen's Jonny Hayes made his first international start with Ireland in the mid-week friendly against Iceland

Hamilton Accies v St Johnstone - Saturday 3pm

Andy Walker's prediction:
Hamilton Acc 0-1 St Johnstone

Key player: Paul Paton

Now that he's fully fit & playing regularly, the Irishman can help sustain St Johnstone's challenge for a place in Europe.

Paul Paton in action for St Johnstone
Image: Paul Paton has one goal and picked up ten yellow cards for St Johnstone so far this season

Ian Crocker's prediction:
Hamilton Acc 0-1 St Johnstone

Key player: Liam Craig

Two goals at Motherwell and capable of grabbing a game by the scruff of the neck.

St Johnstone midfielder Liam Craig has served his suspension
Image: Liam Craig scored twice in St Johnstone's last Premiership match to give them a 2-1 win at Fir Park against Motherwell

Inverness CT v Kilmarnock - Saturday 3pm

Andy Walker's prediction:
Inverness CT 2-0 Kilmarnock

Key player: Liam Polworth

This is a vital game for Caley Thistle's chances of escaping the drop, they can turn to one of their own in Polworth, born & bred in Inverness.

Inverness' Liam Polworth (left) with Danny Wilson (right) of Rangers jostle for the ball
Image: Inverness' Liam Polworth (left) battles for the ball with Danny Wilson (right) of Rangers

Ian Crocker's prediction:
Inverness CT 1-2 Kilmarnock

Key player: Conor Sammon

On a roll since his return to Killie. 3 goals in 4 games.

Interim manager Lee McCulloch (left) issues instructions to Conor Sammon, who has started the past two games for Kilmarnock.
Image: On-loan striker Conor Sammon has scored three goals in his last four games for Kilmarnock

Partick Thistle v Ross County - Saturday 3pm

Andy Walker's prediction:
Partick Thistle 1-2 Ross County

Key player: Alex Schalk

If Liam Boyce doesn't score for Ross County, Schalk is the man who can make the difference for Jim McIntyre's men.

Ross County's Alex Schalk celebrates scoring the equaliser at Inverness, March 2017
Image: Ross County's Alex Schalk has scored eight goals so far in all competitions this season, just one behind his tally from 2015/16

Ian Crocker's prediction:
Partick Thistle 1-1 Ross County

Key player: Kris Doolan

Always a handful, often a goal threat.

18/02/17 LADBROKES PREMIERSHIP .  PARTICK THISTLE v HAMILTON (2-0) .  FIRHILL - GLASGOW .  Partick's Kris Doolan celebrates his second goal
Image: Partick Thistle striker Kris Doolan celebrates one of his ten goals for the club this season

Rangers v Motherwell - Saturday 3pm

Andy Walker's prediction
Rangers 3-0 Motherwell

Key player: Emerson Hyndman

The on-loan Bournemouth midfielder is making his mark at Rangers with four goals from eight league games.

Rangers' Emerson Hyndman volleys home a late winner
Image: Rangers' Emerson Hyndman has been nominated for the club's Young Player of the Year despite only joining on-loan from Bournemouth in January

Ian Crocker's prediction:
Rangers 3-1 Motherwell

Key player: Martyn Waghorn

Finding the way to goal again, albeit mostly with a few penalties.

Martyn Waghorn takes aim during the opening stages of the Old Firm derby
Image: Martyn Waghorn has been in form recently, scoring five goals in his last seven Rangers appearances

Hearts v Celtic - Live on Sky Sports 2 & Mix from 12pm Sunday

Andy Walker's prediction:
Hearts 1-3 Celtic

Key player: Scott Sinclair

He scored his first Celtic goal here & can help secure the title with another in Sunday's live Scottish Premiership fixture on Sky.

Celtic's Scott Sinclair scores his side's second goal
Image: Celtic's Scott Sinclair has scored three times in his two matches against Hearts this season

Ian Crocker's prediction:
Hearts 1-3 Celtic

Key player: Stuart Armstrong

Scored in the last 3 league games and, as expected, a very impressive Scotland debut.

Stuart Armstrong
Image: Stuart Armstrong has three goals in five games for Celtic, not to mention his performance and crucial assist for Scotland against Slovenia

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