Ian Crocker and Andy Walker's Premiership predictor
Friday 23 December 2016 13:22, UK
Celtic - six games through their nine-match December slog - have opened up a 14-point gap at the top with narrow wins over Dundee and Partick this week.
Manager Brendan Rodgers is likely to rotate his squad again when they go to Hamilton for the Sky Live lunchtime contest on Saturday.
Rangers have opened up a seven-point gap on third-placed Aberdeen on the back of their 2-1 win at the Super Seal stadium last Friday and the failure of Hearts and Aberdeen to follow suit on Saturday.
The Light Blues host Inverness this weekend while Hearts and Aberdeen are at Dundee and Motherwell respectively.
Whose bells will be jingling and whose will be jangling? Andy Walker and Ian Crocker are here to give you their Christmas predictions and players to watch.
Dundee v Hearts - Friday 7.45
Dundee have not won any of their previous four league meetings with Hearts (D1 L3), losing both home games in this run.
The Dark Blues are the league's lowest-scoring team in 2016/17, having netted just 15 goals from their 18 games.
Andy Walker's prediction:
Dundee 1-1 Hearts
Key player: Kevin Holt
Dundee midfielder should kick on this year after an impressive debut in the top flight last season.
Ian Crocker's prediction:
Dundee 1-2 Hearts
Key player: Callum Paterson
Interest from elsewhere no great surprise.
Kilmarnock v St Johnstone - Friday 7.45
Kilmarnock have won three of their last four Scottish Premiership meetings with St Johnstone; as many as they did in their previous 17 clashes. Souleymane Coulibaly has netted four of Kilmarnock's last six goals at home in the league, including each of the last two.
St Johnstone have failed to score in each of their last two league games against Killie (L2), conceding four goals in the process.
Andy Walker's prediction:
Kilmarnock 1-2 St Johnstone
Key player: David Wotherspoon
An important player for Tommy Wright as his team battle to stay in the top half of the table.
Ian Crocker's prediction:
Kilmarnock 1-1 St Johnstone
Key player: Souleymane Coulibaly
An eye for a spectacular strike.
Motherwell v Aberdeen - Friday, 7.45
Despite winning this fixture 2-1 in March, Motherwell have lost five of their last seven league games against Aberdeen (W1 D1).
The Dons have netted at least two goals in four of their last six Scottish Premiership meetings with Motherwell (12 in total).
Andy Walker's prediction:
Motherwell 1-2 Aberdeen
Key player: Kenny McLean
Has to put his spat with teammate James Maddison to one side and ensure Aberdeen get back to winning ways.
Ian Crocker's prediction:
Motherwell 2-2 Aberdeen
Key player: Louis Moult
Showed what he can do against Celtic..and others.
Ross County v Partick Thistle - Friday 7.45
Ross County have won three of their last four home games against Partick Thistle (L1) in the Scottish Premiership, all by a 1-0 scoreline.
The last five league meetings between these two sides have seen both share two victories and a draw.
Andy Walker's prediction:
Ross Cty 2-2 Partick Thistle
Key player: Chris Erskine
Thistle are a team that create chances but don't take nearly enough. Erskine has the ability to make the difference.
Ian Crocker's prediction:
Ross County 1-1 Partick Thistle
Key player: Ryan Dow
Starting to find his way in Dingwall.
Hamilton v Celtic - Sky Live, Saturday 12.30
Through 16 meetings between these two teams in the Premiership, Hamilton have won on only one occasion (D2 L13).
The Bhoys are looking for their seventh successive away league win; a feat they last achieved in February 2014 (a run of eight).
Andy Walker's prediction:
Hamilton 1-2 Celtic
Key player: Scott Sinclair
Having him back fit is a major boost to Celtic before they head to Ibrox on Hogmanay.
Live SPFL Football
Ian Crocker's prediction:
Hamilton 1-3 Celtic
Key player: Scott Sinclair
He's back and he knows where the goal is.
Rangers v Inverness - Saturday 12.30
Rangers have salvaged nine points from losing positions in the league this season, the most of any side in the competition.
Caley Thistle have had 14 different goalscorers in the Premiership this season, the most of any team.
Andy Walker's prediction:
Rangers 2-1 Inverness
Key player: Martyn Waghorn
Rangers need a striker who scores regularly & heavily. Waghorn scored plenty in the Championship, can he make the step up to the Premiership?
Ian Crocker's prediction:
Rangers 3-1 Inverness
Key player: Martyn Waghorn
He's back with a bang; a scoring spree is likely.
