Wednesday 3 April 2019 11:40, UK
The Sky Sports commentating team of Ian Crocker & Andy Walker look at tonight's midweek Premiership fixtures.
Referee: Gavin Duncan
Opta Stats
Aberdeen have won seven of their last nine league matches against Motherwell (L2), keeping clean sheets in each of their last four victories.
Having gone eight games unbeaten at the Pittodrie Stadium in the Scottish Premiership between August 2009 and May 2014 (W5 D3), Motherwell have since lost six of their last eight visits to Aberdeen in the top flight (W1 D1).
Aberdeen are without a win in four league games (D2 L2), their longest such run within a single Scottish Premiership season since October 2015 (five matches).
Motherwell are winless in three away league outings (D1 L2), this after having won three in a row directly beforehand.
Niall McGinn has been directly involved in 10 goals in his last 10 league appearances against Motherwell for Aberdeen (four goals, six assists).
Ian Crocker's Prediction: Aberdeen 2-1 Motherwell
Ian Crocker's Key Men:
Niall McGinn: Enjoying his best spell of the season.
Richard Tait: Solid, dependable, reliable, and rarely falls short.
Andy Walker's Prediction: Aberdeen 2-0 Motherwell
Andy Walker's Key Men:
Greg Stewart: Hasn't quite found the form he displayed consistently during his time at Kilmarnock, but always capable of creating or scoring a goal.
Chris Cadden: Great to see him back to full fitness in the weekend win over St. Johnstone.
Referee: Steven McLean
Opta Stats
Hibernian have lost just two of their last 14 top-flight matches against Kilmarnock (W7 D5 L2); however, they did lose the most recent meeting between the two sides, 3-0 in December 2018 - Hibs haven't lost back-to-back Scottish Premiership games against Killie since December 2008 under Mixu Paatelainen.
There have been 20 goals scored in the last four league meetings between Hibernian and Kilmarnock, an average of five goals per game (10 goals each).
Since Paul Heckingbottom took charge in February, no side has picked up more points in the Scottish Premiership than Hibernian (16 - P6 W5 D1 L0).
Kilmarnock are unbeaten in their last 12 league matches played on a Wednesday (W5 D7) since a 1-4 defeat to Celtic in April 2015 under Gary Locke.
Since the start of 2015/16, Kris Boyd has scored four goals in four league starts against Hibernian; only against Partick Thistle (five) has he netted more in this time.
Ian Crocker's Prediction: Hibernian 2-2 Kilmarnock
Ian Crocker's Key Men:
Daryl Horgan: A busy lively presence and eager to make things happen.
Rory McKenzie: Has been making some telling contributions to the Killie cause.
Andy Walker's Prediction: Hibernian 1-0 Kilmarnock
Andy Walker's Key Men:
Stevie Mallan: Gave a match-winning performance in Friday`s win over Livingston.
Greg Taylor: A full-back rarely on the scoresheet, but got the breakthrough in the rout of Hamilton at the weekend.
Referee: Alan Muir
Opta Stats
This will be just the third meeting between Livingston and Hamilton in the Scottish Premiership, with each of the previous two taking place this season - a 1-0 victory for the side playing at home on both occasions.
Livingston haven't won a midweek game in the Scottish Premiership (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) since March 2005 under Richard Gough (3-1 v Kilmarnock), drawing three and losing seven of 10 such matches since.
Hamilton have lost seven of their last eight away league games, beating Aberdeen 2-0 in the other in February.
Of Livingston's last 16 home league goals, 13 have been scored in the second half (81%).
Hamilton have scored just seven away league goals this season, fewer than any other Scottish Premiership side, with the Accies finding the net in just four of their 16 away fixtures in the 2018-19 competition.
Ian Crocker's Prediction: Livingston 2-1 Hamilton
Ian Crocker's Key Men:
Alan Lithgow: One of many at Livingston who gives everything they've got every time.
Steven Boyd: Brian Rice may shuffle his pack after the Rugby Park surrender.
Andy Walker's Prediction: Livingston 0-0 Hamilton
Andy Walker's Key Men:
Ryan Hardie: Might be due another run in the side now that he has his sharpness back.
Gary Woods: In a team that concedes a lot of goals, but he has the ability to produce important saves.
Referee: Kevin Clancy
Opta Stats
Rangers are unbeaten in their last seven Scottish Premiership meetings with Hearts (W6 D1), since a 4-1 defeat the last time the two sides met on a Wednesday, back in February 2017.
Hearts have won just one of their last 23 trips to Ibrox in the top-flight (W17 D5), a 2-1 victory back in March 2012 under Paulo Sergio.
Rangers have won each of their last four matches on a Wednesday in all competitions, this after having won just one of their first six such games on this day under Steven Gerrard (D3 L2).
Hearts boss Craig Levein has lost each of his last eight Scottish Premiership matches against Rangers and is winless in 13 (D3 L10), since a 2-1 victory with Dundee United over Walter Smith's Rangers side in October 2007.
Sean Clare has scored two goals in his last three league games for Hearts - he had netted just one in his first 19 before this.
Ian Crocker's Prediction: Rangers 1-1 Hearts
Ian Crocker's Key Men:
Kyle Lafferty: Will he get some rare action against his former club? Time for a contribution if so.
Sean Clare: Has been doing his bit for Hearts lately.
Andy Walker's Prediction: Rangers 2-1 Hearts
Andy Walker's Key Men:
Jermain Defoe: With Alfredo Morelos looking at a lengthy ban, Defoe is due an extended run in the side.
Christophe Berra: One of the leaders in this Hearts side who could finish the season with a bang.
Referee: Greg Aitken
Opta Stats
St. Johnstone have won back-to-back top-flight matches against Dundee without conceding a single goal - only once previously have the Saints won three consecutive games against the Dee in the Scottish Premiership (September 1999 - run of three).
St. Johnstone and Dundee will meet on a Wednesday night in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since February 2013 (2-2) - Mark Stewart rescued a point for Dundee with his 89th minute strike, with his side having been forced to play the final 24 minutes with 10 men following Declan Gallagher's sending off.
St. Johnstone have picked up just four points from their last 30 available in the Scottish Premiership (P10 W1 D1 L8), the fewest of any side in the division across their last 10 matches.
Dundee have lost their last five league games; they haven't lost six in succession this campaign since they lost each of their opening six such matches of the season.
Christopher Kane has been directly involved in four of St. Johnstone's last six league goals (two goals, two assists), and has scored twice and assisted one in his last two league appearances versus Dundee.
Ian Crocker's Prediction: St. Johnstone 0-1 Dundee
Ian Crocker's Key Men:
Liam Craig: Let Motherwell off the hook with a poor penalty.
Kenny Miller: Will have a pivotal part to play in the fight for survival.
Andy Walker's Prediction: St. Johnstone 1-2 Dundee
Andy Walker's Key Men:
Richard Foster: Watched him at Fir Park on Sat, he`s as reliable as ever for St. Johnstone.
Ethan Robson: Jim McIntyre will be hoping he keeps scoring after netting the opener after just 24 seconds against St Mirren.
Referee: Don Robertson
Opta Stats
St. Mirren have won just one of their 32 Scottish Premiership matches against Celtic (D3 L28), losing 15 of their 17 matches against them (D2) since a 4-0 win back in March 2010.
Celtic have kept 22 clean sheets in 32 matches against St. Mirren in the Scottish Premiership, conceding just three goals against them in the last 17 games and scoring 43 in reply during this period.
St. Mirren have won two of their last three home league matches (L1); they had won just two of their first 13 this season before this (D1 L10).
Celtic have won each of their four-away league matches in 2019, the only 100% win rate in the Scottish Premiership this calendar year.
Celtic are without a win in four away league matches at newly-promoted opponents (D3 L1), with their last win over such opposition coming over Rangers in April 2017 (5-1).
Ian Crocker's Prediction: St. Mirren 0-3 Celtic
Ian Crocker's Key Men:
Paul McGinn: Like most McGinns, a proper competitor, but may have his work cut out.
Odsonne Edouard: Looked the part against Rangers, and back in a menacing mood.
Andy Walker's Prediction: St. Mirren 2-3 Celtic
Andy Walker's Key Men:
Brad Lyons: Headed a crucial second half winner against Dundee to give his team a fighting chance of staying up.
James Forrest: Much has been made of the madness surrounding the Old Firm game, but it shouldn`t be forgotten that Forrest made the first and scored the winner - he's one who kept his concentration well.
