Walker & Crocker's Scottish Premiership Predictions
Friday 5 April 2019 14:57, UK
Sky Sports' commentating team of Ian Crocker & Andy Walker look at the last Scottish Premiership fixtures before the split.
Hearts vs Hibernian - Saturday 12.30pm
Referee: William Collum
Opta Stats
Hearts have only lost one of their last 12 home matches against Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership (W7 D4), a 1-2 defeat in May 2013 under Gary Locke.
Hibernian have failed to score in both of their two league games against Hearts this season; they last failed to find the net in three meetings against an opponent in the same Scottish Premiership season in 2013-14, against both Aberdeen and Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Hearts have alternated between a win and a defeat in their last five league matches (W2 L3), losing 3-0 at Rangers last time out.
Hibernian are yet to lose in the Scottish Premiership under Paul Heckingbottom, winning five and drawing two of seven such games with him at the helm.
Hearts boss Craig Levein has never lost at home to Hibs in the Scottish Premiership as a manager (P15 W5 D10 L0).
Ian Crocker's Prediction: Hearts 1-0 Hibernian
Ian Crocker's Key Men:
Uche Ikpeazu: Cult hero should relish the derby experience. His kind of game.
Marc McNulty: May need to make the most of any chances that come his way.
Andy Walker's Prediction: Hearts 0-0 Hibernian
Andy Walker's Key Men:
Oliver Bozanic: The Aussie is strong & forceful from the middle of the park.
Ofir Marciano: Not always a fans' favourite but has been very consistent recently.
Celtic vs Livingston - Saturday 3pm
Referee: Euan Anderson
Opta Stats
Celtic have won 16 of their 18 Scottish Premiership games against Livingston since the 2001-02 season, drawing the other two 0-0 in their first such clash in August 2001 and most recent in November 2018.
Livingston have lost all nine of their Scottish Premiership visits to Celtic Park, although they have only failed to score in one of those (2-0 in September 2002).
Since the Scottish Premiership began in 1998-99, only one newly promoted side has won away at the reigning champions in the competition (P37 W1 D5 L31), Hamilton Academical beating Celtic 1-0 at Celtic Park in October 2014.
Celtic have won 11 of their 12 league matches in 2019 (D1), picking up at least 12 more points than any other club in the Scottish Premiership this calendar year.
Livingston are winless in 13 away league outings (D6 L7) since beating St. Mirren in August 2018 (2-0).
Ian Crocker's Prediction: Celtic 2-0 Livingston
Ian Crocker's Key Men:
James Forrest: Celtic have won the last 38 games he's scored in so beware.
Craig Halkett: Will be giving his absolute all as usual before summer switch to Hearts.
Andy Walker's Prediction: Celtic 3-1 Livingston
Andy Walker's Key Men:
Timothy Weah: His fresh legs may see him starting more games in the final few weeks of the season.
Dolly Menga: His work-rate & energy could be important in this demanding venue.
Dundee vs Aberdeen - Saturday 3pm
Referee: Andrew Dallas
Opta Stats
Dundee have lost each of their last 11 league meetings with Aberdeen; this is Dundee's longest losing streak against an opponent in the Scottish Premiership, while Aberdeen have only had a longer such winning run against Kilmarnock (13 games between April 2013 and February 2017).
Aberdeen have won each of their last five away league games against Dundee and are unbeaten in 10 (W7 D3) since a 1-0 defeat in December 2004 under Jimmy Calderwood.
Dundee's six-game losing streak is the longest ongoing such run in the Scottish Premiership.
Aberdeen, who were 3-1 winners over Motherwell in midweek, are looking to win back-to-back league games for the first time in 2019.
Niall McGinn has scored three goals in his last three league games for Aberdeen, as many as his previous 32 such appearances beforehand.
Ian Crocker's Prediction: Dundee 1-2 Aberdeen
Ian Crocker's Key Men:
Martin Woods: Tried and trusted by Jim McIntyre before. Can he steady the ship?
Niall McGinn: At the top of his game lately. Too hot to handle.
Andy Walker's Prediction: Dundee 1-3 Aberdeen
Andy Walker's Key Men:
Ryan McGowan: The former Hearts man has come in to a desperate situation at Dens, trying everything to turn it round.
Max Lowe: An unlikely goalscorer against Motherwell in midweek but deserved that slice of luck.
Hamilton vs St Mirren - Saturday 3pm
Referee: John Beaton
Opta Stats
Hamilton have won six of their last seven Scottish Premiership games against St. Mirren (L1), including each of their last three since a 0-1 loss in February 2015.
St. Mirren have lost their last three top-flight trips to Hamilton and haven't scored in any of their last seven (D3 L4) since winning 2-1 in October 2008.
Hamilton have won two of their last three home league matches (L1); they had won only twice in 13 before this (D2 L9).
St. Mirren have picked up fewer away points (seven - P15 W1 D4 L10) than any other side in this season's Scottish Premiership.
Both Hamilton and St. Mirren have seen just 11 different players score for them in this season's Scottish Premiership (excluding own goals), the joint-fewest in the division.
Ian Crocker's Prediction: Hamilton 1-1 St Mirren
Ian Crocker's Key Men:
David McMillan: Somebody needs to do something to aid the ailing Accies.
Stephen McGinn: Experience and know-how could be vital in a crucial contest.
Andy Walker's Prediction: Hamilton 2-1 St Mirren
Andy Walker's Key Men:
George Oakley: Can he help Accies to another home win? They've won two of the last three here.
Vaclav Hladky: Czech goalkeeper was terrific against Celtic in midweek.
Kilmarnock vs St Johnstone - Saturday 3pm
Referee: Bobby Madden
Opta Stats
Kilmarnock have won both of their last two home league games against St. Johnstone by a 2-0 scoreline; they have never beaten them in three straight home matches in the Scottish Premiership.
St. Johnstone are winless in four league meetings with Kilmarnock (D1 L3), failing to score in each of their last three (D1 L2).
Kilmarnock are unbeaten in five league contests (W2 D3) having alternated between a win and a draw in those five games, playing out a goalless stalemate with Hibernian last time out.
St. Johnstone have lost five of their last six away league fixtures (D1), this after having won each of the six in a row beforehand.
Kilmarnock have had 17 different players score a goal for them in this season's Scottish Premiership, more than any other club (excluding own goals).
Ian Crocker's Prediction: Kilmarnock 1-0 St Johnstone
Ian Crocker's Key Men:
Chris Burke: Definitely worth another year at Rugby Park.
Matty Kennedy: First goal in a while against Dundee could be a springboard.
Andy Walker's Prediction: Kilmarnock 2-0 St Johnstone
Andy Walker's Key Men:
Jordan Jones: Into the last couple of months of his Kilmarnock career before moving to Rangers, still giving his all.
Liam Craig: Won't be on penalty duty after his miss last weekend but remains a key player.
Motherwell vs Rangers - Sunday 12.30pm Live on Sky Football
Referee: Nick Walsh
Opta Stats
Motherwell are without a win in their last 42 Scottish Premiership meetings with Rangers (D12 L30), last beating them in December 2002 under Terry Butcher (1-0).
This will be the third league meeting between Motherwell and Rangers this season, with each played on a Sunday. The previous two have seen a combined 14 goals (seven per game; four for Motherwell, 10 for Rangers).
Motherwell have won five straight home league games; they have never won six in a row in the Scottish Premiership since it began in 1998-99.
Rangers lost 2-1 at Celtic in their last away league match - they haven't suffered back-to-back league defeats on the road since September 2018, when the first of those losses was at Celtic.
Rangers have made more changes to their starting line-ups (97) in this season's Scottish Premiership than any other club.
Ian Crocker's Prediction: Motherwell 2-3 Rangers
Ian Crocker's Key Men:
Jake Hastie: An eye-catching seven goals in 12 since bursting onto the scene.
Jermain Defoe: When he starts he often scores. It's what he does.
Andy Walker's Prediction: Motherwell 1-2 Rangers
Andy Walker's Key Men:
David Turnbull: Doesn't get as much attention as Jake Hastie but developing into a fine player.
Steven Davis: Surely due a run in the side now, there's no doubting his ability.
