Friday 19 April 2019 16:42, UK
Sky Sports' commentating team of Ian Crocker and Andy Walker look at the first post-split Scottish Premiership fixtures.
Referee: John Beaton
Opta Stats
Hearts have lost each of their last six games against Rangers, their longest such run against them in the Scottish Premiership since nine consecutive defeats ending in December 2003.
None of the last 14 Scottish Premiership meetings between Hearts and Rangers at Tyncastle Park have ended in a draw (five wins for Hearts and nine wins for Rangers), a run stretching back to November 2006.
Hearts have lost just two of their last 18 Scottish Premiership matches that have been played at home on a Saturday (W11 D5 L2), however those two defeats have come in their last six such games (W3 D1 L2).
Rangers have lost just one of their last 11 league games (W7 D3 L1), a 2-1 defeat against Celtic, keeping seven clean sheets in the process.
Four of Scott Arfield's last five league goals for Rangers have come away from home, after his opening five goals of the season were all scored at Ibrox.
Ian Crocker's Prediction: Hearts 1-2 Rangers
Ian Crocker's Key Men:
Uche Ikpeazu: Tynecastle cult hero will relish the big occasion.
Scott Arfield: Hat-trick hero last time out summed up a positive personal season.
Andy Walker's Prediction: Hearts 1-3 Rangers
Andy Walker's Key Men:
Olly Lee: Developed into a good team player, one that Craig Levein can rely on.
Jermain Defoe: I expect goals from him now that Alfredo Morelos has been forced out of the side.
Referee: Don Robertson
Opta Stats
Hamilton have lost their last two league games against Motherwell, they have never lost three in a row against them in the Scottish Premiership.
Motherwell have won three of their last four league games away to Hamilton (L1), more wins than they managed in their previous 10 such games (W2 D4 L4).
Hamilton have won two of their last four home league games (D1 L1) - as many victories as in their previous 13 Scottish Premiership matches at New Douglas Park (D2 L9).
Motherwell have failed to win their last four away league games (D1 L3), since winning four of their previous five such matches between December 2018 and February 2019 (L1).
Motherwell's David Turnbull has been directly involved in 13 goals in the league this season, at least six more than any of his teammates.
Ian Crocker's Prediction: Hamilton 1-2 Motherwell
Ian Crocker's Key Men:
Ziggy Gordon: Seasoned campaigner knows all about these derbies.
Gboly Ariyibi: Has made his presence felt during his Fir Park loan.
Andy Walker's Prediction: Hamilton 1-0 Motherwell
Andy Walker's Key Men:
Mickel Miller: Given a more attacking role by Brian Rice, can Hamilton put further distance between themselves and bottom spot?
James Scott: Likely to be given more game time in last few weeks of the season.
Referee: Steven McLean
Opta Stats
Kilmarnock have won just one of their last 21 league games against Aberdeen (D3 L17), with that win coming at the Pittodrie Stadium in September 2018 (2-0).
Aberdeen are on a run of nine straight wins in the league against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, conceding just four goals in total during this period.
Kilmarnock are unbeaten in their last six league games (W3 D3 L0), conceding just a single goal during this run - an Alfredo Morelos goal in a 1-1 draw with Rangers in March.
Aberdeen have failed to win just two of their last nine away league games (W7 D1 L1), a 0-0 draw with Celtic and a 2-1 defeat to Hearts.
Kilmarnock's Kris Boyd scored his first league goal since November against St. Johnstone last time out, ending a run of eight league games without finding the back of the net in the Scottish Premiership - he last scored in back-to-back such games in March 2018 (run of four).
Ian Crocker's Prediction: Kilmarnock 1-1 Aberdeen
Ian Crocker's Key Men:
Rory McKenzie: Enjoying a great run of form at Killie.
Graeme Shinnie: Back to lead his men into battle.
Andy Walker's Prediction: Kilmarnock 1-2 Aberdeen
Andy Walker's Key Men:
Kris Boyd: My Sky colleague has still got the ability to score goals, the question is does he want to carry on playing next season?
Graeme Shinnie: Attracting interest from clubs like Derby County, Aberdeen will really miss his influence when he's gone.
Referee: William Collum
Opta Stats
This will be just the fourth meeting between Livingston and St. Mirren in the Scottish Premiership, with Livingston winning two of the previous three (L1).
St. Mirren will be looking to win back to back league games against Livingston, having lost each of their previous two.
Livingston have drawn just one of their last 16 home league games (W10 D1 L5), a 0-0 stalemate with Celtic back in November (winning six and losing four since).
Only Dundee (23) have lost more Scottish Premiership games this campaign than St. Mirren (22).
Livingston's Ryan Hardie has scored in both of his last two home league games; he last scored in three consecutive home league games in December 2018 (4 goals in total).
Ian Crocker's Prediction: Livingston 2-0 St Mirren
Ian Crocker's Key Men:
Declan Gallagher: A few will be aiming to bow out on a high at Livingston.
Mihai Popescu: Will need to stand firm in St Mirren's defence.
Andy Walker's Prediction: Livingston 1-1 St Mirren
Andy Walker's Key Men:
Declan Gallagher: Like his sidekick Craig Halkett, Gallagher looks as though he's heading off to a new club after a fine debut season in the Premiership.
Anders Dreyer: On loan youngster won his team a point at Hamilton last time round, what a signing he will be if he can keep St Mirren away from bottom spot.
Referee: Alan Muir
Opta Stats
St. Johnstone have won three consecutive league games against Dundee for the first time since September 1999, they've never won four on the bounce against them in the competition.
Dundee have only won one of their last seven league games away against St. Johnstone (D1 L5), having won four of their previous five such games (L1).
Following back-to-back home victories against St. Mirren and Dundee (without conceding), St Johnstone will be looking to win three consecutive home Scottish Premiership games for the first time since September 2015 - in fact, should they win this game, St Johnstone will have beaten a side twice within the same month in the top-flight for the first time since April 2015 (Dundee again the opponents).
Dundee have lost seven consecutive Scottish Premiership matches - they have never lost eight on the bounce in the competition.
St. Johnstone's Matthew Kennedy scored in his last home league game against Dundee, after a run of five league matches without a goal in front of the home fans before this - his longest such run without a goal at home this season.
Ian Crocker's Prediction: St Johnstone 0-0 Dundee
Ian Crocker's Key Men:
Callum Hendry: Scored against Dundee earlier this month and they are in sight again.
Paul McGowan: Has the capacity to unlock the door and Dundee's need is urgent.
Andy Walker's Prediction: St Johnstone 1-0 Dundee
Andy Walker's Key Men:
Liam Gordon: Unhappy with recent performances, Tommy Wright may well give Gordon a run out in defence.
Paul McGowan: The latest to be given the captaincy, it's getting very close to the last chance saloon for a desperate Dundee side.
Referee: Nick Walsh
Opta Stats
Celtic have alternated between a win and a defeat in their last five Scottish Premiership matches against Hibs (W3 D0 L2), winning the last such game 2-0 in February, at Celtic Park.
Hibernian have only lost one of their last six home league games against Celtic (W3 D2), winning each of the last two. They've never won three consecutive home matches against them in the Scottish Premiership.
Hibernian are unbeaten in their last eight league games (W6 D2 L0) - their longest unbeaten since a run of 12 matches without defeat between January and May 2018 (W8 D4).
Celtic have conceded just four goals across their last 14 Scottish Premiership games (W11 D2 L1) - in fact the last side to score more than once against Celtic in a league game was Aberdeen back in December 2018, a game in which Celtic still managed to win 4-3.
Ryan Christie has been directly involved in eight goals in his nine league games in 2019, more than any other Celtic player this year.
Ian Crocker's Prediction: Hibernian 2-2 Celtic
Ian Crocker's Key Men:
Daryl Horgan: Edinburgh derby hero will be eager for more of the same.
Tom Rogic: Getting back up to speed after injury and loves a big game.
Andy Walker's Prediction: Hibernian 1-3 Celtic
Andy Walker's Key Men:
Darren McGregor: The former Rangers man will relish the opportunity of going up against the champions-elect.
Jozo Simunovic: Hampered by too many injuries but excellent for Celtic in last weekend's Scottish Cup semi-final win.
