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Ian Crocker and Andy Walker's Scottish Premiership predictor

Andy Walker and Ian Crocker preview this Saturday's Scottish Premiership matches
Image: Andy Walker and Ian Crocker preview this Saturday's Scottish Premiership matches.

The Scottish Premiership commences this week with Celtic attempting to continue their unbeaten domestic record against Partick Thistle at Firhill on Friday night.

The league's youngest ever manager will take charge of his first match as Ian Cathro and Hearts visit Ibrox just 10 days after the Edinburgh club's 2-0 win against Rangers at Tynecastle.

Kilmarnock remained in the top six despite their 5-1 mid-week thrashing at the hands of Aberdeen.

It's St Johnstone's turn to travel to Pittodrie on Saturday as they continue to try and close the gap between themselves and those above them in the Premiership.

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Watch a round-up from all of Saturday's games in the Scottish Premiership.

At the bottom end there is room for clubs to move up and down with just three points still separating 6th and 12th.

Here are Andy Walker and Ian Crocker's predictions and players to watch this weekend.

Partick Thistle v Celtic - Friday 7.45pm

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Celtic haven't conceded more than one goal in their last nine visits to Firhill in the Scottish Premiership, letting in just five during that time.

Partick Thistle haven't won in their last four league matches after going the same amount of matches unbeaten previous to this run.

Andy Walker's prediction: Partick Thistle 1-2 Celtic

Key player: Gary Mackay-Steven

Might be given the chance to play in absence of James Forrest, big opportunity for him.

Gary Mackay-Steven reacts to a missed chance at Manchester City, December 2016
Image: Gary Mackay-Steven made his first appearance for Celtic this season against Manchester City in mid-week.

Ian Crocker's prediction: Partick Thistle 1-3 Celtic

Key player: Patrick Roberts
Just had to score at the Etihad and is relishing a run in the side.

Stuart Armstrong (right) celebrates with Patrick Roberts after his opener against Manchester City
Image: Stuart Armstrong (right) celebrates with Patrick Roberts after his opener against Manchester City .

Aberdeen v St Johnstone - Saturday 3pm

Tommy Wright's men have a good record against Aberdeen in the league in recent times, losing just once in the last seven matches and winning three of those.

Aberdeen have conceded the 2nd lowest amount of goals in the Premiership so far (15), only Celtic have a better record (11).

Andy Walker's prediction: Aberdeen 2-0 St Johnstone  

Key player: Johnny Hayes
Consistently the best goal threat for Aberdeen.

Aberdeen's Jonny Hayes scores the third
Image: Aberdeen's Jonny Hayes scoring the third against Kilmarnock on Tuesday.

Ian Crocker's prediction: Aberdeen 2-2 St Johnstone 

Key player: Niall McGinn
Probably needed a rest of late but can still influence proceedings.

Aberdeen's Niall McGinn celebrates after scoring the fourth
Image: Aberdeen's Niall McGinn celebrates after scoring Aberdeen's fourth against Kilmarnock.

Dundee v Ross County - Saturday 3pm

Dundee host Ross County with the worst goal scoring record in the league having netted just 14 times in their opening 16 fixtures.

Ross County are up to 7th in the table after going unbeaten in their last four, but they have only managed one win in the last ten matches.

Andy Walker's prediction: Dundee 2-2 Ross County   

Key player: Liam Boyce
County would be lost without his contribution.

Ian Crocker's prediction: Dundee 0-1 Ross County   

Key player: Liam Boyce
Scored in the last three games so he's in the zone.

Liam Boyce savours the feeling after netting County's fourth
Image: Liam Boyce has scored three goals in his last three games for Ross County.

Inverness CT v Hamilton Accies - Saturday 3pm

Hamilton have won four of the last eight away league matches with Inverness, losing just once and drawing the other three.

Inverness sit bottom of the table with the worst defensive record in the Premiership but could find hope in their striker Lonsana Doumbouya, who has scored in his last three home matches for the club.

Andy Walker's prediction: Inverness CT 2-1 Hamilton Accies

Key player: Ross Draper
The type of player boss Richie Foran can rely on.

19/11/16 LADBROKES PREMERSHIP  .  INVERNESS CT v ABERDEEN .  TULLOCH CALEDONIAN STADIUM -
Image: Inverness CT's Ross Draper (left) challenges Aberdeen's James Maddison.

Ian Crocker's prediction: Inverness CT 0-0 Hamilton Accies

Key player: Ali Crawford
A game that might require a touch of class to win it.

Ali Crawford secures point for Hamilton in Dingwall
Image: Ali Crawford secures point for Hamilton against Ross County in the game at Dingwall last month.

Motherwell v Kilmarnock - Saturday 3pm

Motherwell go into Saturday's match with Kilmarnock having only lost one of the last seven league meetings between the sides.

After Tuesday's heavy defeat to Aberdeen, Kilmarnock have the worst away defensive record with 19 goals conceded in their 8 games.

Andy Walker's prediction: Motherwell 1-1 Kilmarnock

Key player: Ross McLean
S+howed last week against Celtic how effective he can be.

Celtic's Mikael Lustig tangles with Ross MacLean
Image: Ross MacLean wins the ball back for Motherwell against Celtic defender Mikael Lustig.

Ian Crocker's prediction: Motherwell 2-1 Kilmarnock

Key player: Louis Moult
Two terrific goals v Celtic and excellent assists from McManus and MacLean.

03/11/16 LADBROKES PREMIERSHIP  .  MOTHERWELL v CELTIC  .  FIR PARK - MOTHERWELL  .  Motherwell's Louis Moult (2nd from right) celebrates his goal
Image: Motherwell's Louis Moult (2nd from right) celebrates his goal against Celtic last weekend.

Rangers v Hearts - Saturday 3pm

The last fixture between these sides at Ibrox in Scotland's top league finished 2-1 to Hearts with former Rangers midfielder Ian Black on the scoresheet for the Edinburgh outfit.

Rangers are still unbeaten in league duty under Mark Warburton, with their last defeat at Ibrox coming in February 2015 against Hibernian.

Andy Walker's prediction: Rangers 1-1 Hearts

Key player: Lee Hodson
Likely to stay in the team for a while, especially after goalscoring contribution last weekend against Aberdeen.

Lee Hodson started for Rangers against Celtic in Sunday's League Cup semi-final.
Image: Lee Hodson started for Rangers and scored against Aberdeen last Saturday.

Ian Crocker's prediction: Rangers 1-1 Hearts

Key player: Kenny Miller
Answered the call when it mattered last week.  Still finishing nicely. 

rangers
Image: Rangers striker Kenny Miller after scoring the opener against Aberdeen last week.

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