Hearts host Rangers, live on Sky Sports Football; Celtic are at home to Motherwell; Aberdeen face Kilmarnock; it's Dundee United vs Johnstone; Ross County take on Hibernian; Livingston travel to St Mirren
Saturday 1 October 2022 08:05, UK
There is plenty at stake as the Scottish Premiership returns after the international break.
Rangers have the chance to move to the top of the table when they take on Hearts in Saturday's early kick-off, live on Sky Sports Football, although the Jambos could move above them if they win at Tynecastle Park.
Ange Postecoglou will be keen to see his Celtic side return to winning ways to maintain their lead, while Liam Fox goes in search of Dundee United's first win of the season after being appointed as the club's new head coach.
Here we take a look at what's at stake this weekend...
The first fixture of the weekend is at Tynecastle Park as Hearts take on Rangers, live on Sky Sports Football.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side returned to winning ways against Dundee United in their last match, with the manager hailing it as an important victory after shipping 11 goals in their previous three matches.
Victory for Hearts would move them level on points with their opponents and Robbie Neilson will be keen to continue the form they showed heading into the break.
The Jambos followed up an impressive Europa Conference League victory over RFS with a 3-0 win at Motherwell.
Celtic return from the break looking to bounce back from their shock 2-0 loss to St Mirren.
That loss ended a run of almost a year without a league defeat for manager Ange Postecoglou and they will be keen to start that run again versus a Motherwell side showing positive signs under new manager Stevie Hammell.
Plenty of Celtic players have been on international duty over the last 10 days, with striker Giorgos Giakoumakis the only casualty from those matches.
Defensive duo Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Startfelt will also miss the game through injury.
Celtic will start their game in second if the lunchtime kick-off between Hearts and Rangers does not end in a draw.
Derek McInnes takes his Kilmarnock side to Aberdeen as he faces his former club for the first time since leaving in March 2021.
The Dons have impressed this season under Jim Goodwin, but suffered a surprise 3-1 defeat at Hibernian in their last match before the break.
Killie could find themselves bottom of the Scottish Premiership if they fail to pick up their first away win of the season.
They could be without Kyle Lafferty after the Rugby Park striker was charged by the Scottish FA for alleged sectarian language.
Dundee United host St Johnstone in the Tangerines' first game since Liam Fox was appointed as the club's new head coach.
It has been a difficult start for the Tannadice side, but they could lift themselves off the bottom of the table with victory on Saturday.
The fact United have been struggling for goals will give St Johnstone added confidence after keeping a clean sheet in their last two matches.
Callum Davidson's side played out a goalless draw with Livingston in their last outing after an impressive 3-0 victory over St Mirren.
St Mirren impressed against Celtic in their final game before the break with a 2-0 win and they currently sit in a European place.
Stephen Robinson will be keen to build on that result against Livingston, who only sit behind them in the table on goal difference.
Livi are another team on form with back-to-back wins and clean sheets.
Victory could see both these sides move up to third but, given how tight the Scottish Premiership is this season, a defeat could see them drop as low as eighth.
Ross County have only won one of their opening seven games this season, but they do head into Saturday's match in Dingwall following consecutive draws.
Ross Laidlaw was able to keep a clean sheet against St Johnstone during their previous outing, and prior to that they also shared the points with Aberdeen.
Hibernian currently sit sixth after an impressive win against Aberdeen in their last outing and they could find themselves as high as third on Saturday night if results go their way.
Their away form will need to improve for that to happen though, with just one win of the three games they have played on their travels so far this season.
Sky Sports - This season up to 48 cinch Premiership games will be available across Sky Sports' flagship channels, including Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event, plus at least five SWPL matches. From 2024/25, up to 60 cinch Premiership will be live on Sky Sports, in addition to the SWPL.
Sky Sports News - Running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Scottish football fans can enjoy Sky Sports News' (channel 409) rolling editorial coverage of the cinch Premiership and SWPL throughout the season.
Sky Sports Digital - Follow all the latest from Scottish football across SkySports.com and app, including exclusive features and interviews, plus dedicated live blog coverage, in-game clips from matches live on Sky Sports and free highlights.
Sky Sports Social - Alongside coverage and visibility for the league across all Sky Sports' main social media channels, the bespoke Twitter channel @ScotlandSky will continue to be the home of all Scottish football content on Sky Sports.
Highlights show - Tune in for a dedicated round-up from the cinch Premiership every week on Sky Sports Football.
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