Tuesday 5 February 2019 15:56, UK
Sky Sports Scotland commentary team Ian Crocker and Andy Walker take a look at the midweek Scottish Premiership fixtures.
Aberdeen v Rangers - Live on Sky Sports Football - Wednesday 7.45pm
Referee: Bobby Madden
Opta Stats
Aberdeen are unbeaten in three league meetings with Rangers (W1 D2), their longest such run without a loss to them in the top-flight since April 2006 (four games).
Aberdeen are one of only two Scottish clubs that Rangers have faced in all competitions under manager Steven Gerrard without yet winning (also Hibernian), with the Gers drawing one and losing two of three meetings against the Dons under Gerrard.
Aberdeen have lost just one of their last nine Scottish Premiership games (W7 D1 L1), a 3-4 defeat at the Pittodrie Stadium against Celtic back in December 2018.
Rangers have kept clean sheets in five of their last eight league games (W5 D2 L1).
After their three penalty goals against St. Mirren last time out, Rangers have now scored more penalties (eight) than any other side in this season's Scottish Premiership (Aberdeen and Kilmarnock on six); they were the first side to score three penalties in a single match in the competition since Celtic against Aberdeen in November 2010.
Ian Crocker's Prediction: Aberdeen 1-2 Rangers
Ian Crocker's Key Men:
Tommie Hoban: Looks ready to make up for lost time after injury.
Ryan Kent: Bringing a lot to the Rangers party just now.
Andy Walker's Prediction: Aberdeen 1-1 Rangers
Andy Walker's Key Men:
Lewis Ferguson: Tends to raise his game on the big occasion.
Alfredo Morelos: Sent off here at the start of the season for a petulant kick, Rangers need a big performance from him if they are to beat Aberdeen for the first time this season.
Celtic v Hibernian - Wednesday 7.45pm
Referee: Craig Thomson
Opta Stats
Celtic have lost two of their last three league matches against Hibernian (W1), as many as their previous 21 such meetings combined - however, these two defeats were both away from home.
Hibs are winless in their last 10 Scottish Premiership visits to Celtic Park (D3 L7) since a 2-1 victory in January 2010.
Celtic have won four consecutive league games without conceding a single goal - they last went on a longer winning run in the Scottish Premiership without conceding in November 2016 (six consecutive victories, no goals against).
Hibernian have won just one of their last seven league games (W1 D3 L3), a 3-1 victory against St Mirren in January.
Eight of the last nine goals Celtic have scored in the Scottish Premiership have come in the second half of games, including each of the last six.
Ian Crocker's Prediction: Celtic 2-1 Hibernian
Ian Crocker's Key Men:
Timothy Weah: Three goals as a substitute is not bad for starters.
Ofir Marciano: Might need a performance akin to Zander Clark's showing on Sunday.
Andy Walker's Prediction: Celtic 2-0 Hibernian
Andy Walker's Key Men:
Scott Bain: Came up with a big save early in the game against St Johnstone to set the team up for a win.
Oli Shaw: On a fine run of form, but can he keep it going?
Dundee v Kilmarnock - Wednesday 7.45pm
Referee: Kevin Clancy
Opta Stats
Dundee are winless in their last six home league meetings with Kilmarnock (D4 L2) since a 1-0 win in January 2015.
Kilmarnock have won each of their last three Scottish Premiership matches versus Dundee, their best ever run against them in the competition.
Dundee have won just one of their last 13 home league games (W1 D3 L9), a 4-0 victory against Hamilton in December.
Kilmarnock have lost just one of their last nine Scottish Premiership games on the road (W4 D4 L1), keeping four clean sheets in their last six such games.
Kenny Miller has scored five of Dundee's last six league goals at Dens Park.
Ian Crocker's Prediction: Dundee 1-1 Kilmarnock
Ian Crocker's Key Men:
Craig Curran: Jim McIntyre will be hoping for a burst of goals.
Alan Power: The Power and maybe not the glory sometimes but his team-mates know!
Andy Walker's Prediction: Dundee 2-0 Kilmarnock
Andy Walker's Key Men:
Andy Dales: On loan Scunthorpe winger with the ability to help get Dundee out of trouble.
Mikael Ndjoli: Good player but could definitely improve his goal tally.
Hamilton v St Johnstone - Wednesday 7.45pm
Referee: Gavin Duncan
Opta Stats
Hamilton have lost each of their six league encounters with St. Johnstone since the start of last season.
St. Johnstone's six-match winning streak over Hamilton is their best ever run of victories over a particular opponent in the Scottish Premiership.
Hamilton have won just one of their last 12 league games (W1 D2 L9) and are winless since a 3-1 victory against St Mirren at the start of December 2018.
St Johnstone have lost three consecutive league games by a 0-2 scoreline, however two of those matches did come against Celtic - prior to this, the Saints had won three on the bounce.
St Johnstone have kept 11 clean sheets in the Scottish Premiership so far this season - only Celtic have kept more (15).
Ian Crocker's Prediction: Hamilton 0-1 St Johnstone
Ian Crocker's Key Men:
Darian MacKinnon: Just the sort Accies need for the battles ahead.
Sean Goss: Can get on the ball and pick out a pass.
Andy Walker's Prediction: Hamilton 1-1 St Johnstone
Andy Walker's Key Men:
Scott McMann: One of many Hamilton players who could improve under the guidance of new boss Brian Rice.
Zander Clark: What a tremendous season he's having, a consistent top-class performer.
Hearts v Livingston - Wednesday 7.45pm
Referee: Alan Muir
Opta Stats
Hearts have lost none of their last seven home matches against Livingston in the top tier of Scottish football (W4 D3), last losing such a contest in May 2002 (2-3).
Livingston's 5-0 win over Hearts in their last league meeting ended their 13-match winless streak against them in the Scottish top-flight (D5 L8). The result is Livingston's biggest ever victory in the Scottish Premiership, with all five goals coming in the final 20 minutes of the game.
Hearts have won four of their last five league games (W4 D0 L1), as many victories as in their previous 14 Scottish Premiership matches (D3 L7).
Livingston have lost four consecutive league games failing to score in each of the last three - they last went on a longer losing run in a single top-flight season back in 2005-06 (run of 13 straight defeats between December 2005 and April 2006).
Steven Naismith has been directly involved in 12 of Hearts' 31 league goals this campaign (9 goals, 3 assists), five more than any other player.
Ian Crocker's Prediction: Hearts 2-0 Livingston
Ian Crocker's Key Men:
Olly Lee: The midfield seems a better place with him.
Chris Erskine: A player who usually has something to give.
Andy Walker's Prediction: Hearts 1-0 Livingston
Andy Walker's Key Men:
Christophe Berra: No coincidence that when he's back fit, Hearts are a better side.
Liam Kelly: Some errors recently in his game but another enjoying a wonderful season.
St Mirren v Motherwell - Wednesday 7.45pm
Referee: Nick Walsh
Opta Stats
St. Mirren have alternated between victory and defeat in their last six home Scottish Premiership clashes with Motherwell (W3 L3) - they lost 2-0 last time out in October 2018.
Motherwell have lost two of their last three top-flight games against St. Mirren (W1), as many as their previous 12 such meetings combined.
Since their opening day victory, St Mirren have won just one of their last 11 home games in the Scottish Premiership this season (W1 D1 L9), a 2-0 victory against Hearts in November.
Motherwell have won four consecutive league games without conceding in the last three - they last went on a longer winning run in the Scottish Premiership between February and April 2016 (run of five).
St Mirren have just seven different goalscorers in the Scottish Premiership so far this season - no side has fewer.
Ian Crocker's Prediction: St Mirren 1-2 Motherwell
Ian Crocker's Key Men:
Simeon Jackson: Decent scoring run of late needs to continue.
Jake Hastie: The latest breakthrough player at Motherwell is taking his chance.
Andy Walker's Prediction: St Mirren 0-2 Motherwell
Andy Walker's Key Men:
Greg Tansey: Can he find his best form to help saints escape the drop?
Curtis Main: Back on the goal trail at the weekend after a lean spell.
