(Current league positions in brackets)
Saturday, October 17
Aberdeen (6) v Hearts (8)
Defender Jerel Ifil hoped to overcome a hamstring injury but could not train today, however Sone Aluko returns to the Dons squad following his stint with Nigeria in the Under-20 World Cup. Zander Diamond (ankle) and Davide Grassi (broken cheekbone) are out while Tommy Wright (knee) is not in contention despite returning to training.
Eggert Jonsson could make his first Hearts appearance for almost two months after hernia surgery. Gary Glen is fit after a knee injury but fellow forward David Templeton misses out, despite being told he has avoided a recurrence of his broken foot. Marius Zaliukas (ankle) and Callum Elliot (knee) are sidelined.
Last season: Aberdeen 0 Hearts 0, Hearts 2 Aberdeen 1, Aberdeen 1 Hearts 0, Hearts 1 Aberdeen 1
Last five league matches: Aberdeen D D W D D; Hearts D W L W L
Top scorers: Charlie Mulgrew (Aberdeen) 3; Jose Goncalves, Suso Santana & Michael Stewart (Hearts) 2
Referee: Dougie McDonald (Glasgow).
Celtic (1) v Motherwell (5)
Celtic will be without defender Glenn Loovens, who lost his appeal against a one-match ban and sits out the visit of the Steelmen through suspension, while also nursing a calf injury. Scott Brown could feature after visiting a specialist for treatment for an ankle problem but Andreas Hinkel and Danny Fox are likely to remain sidelined through injury.
Motherwell will again be without Shaun Hutchinson and Paul Slane. Hutchinson has suffered a setback in his bid to overcome an ankle problem and Slane requires another minor operation to relieve pressure on his lower leg. Stevie Hammell (hamstring) is a slight doubt but Jim O'Brien has recovered from the Achilles knock that forced him to be stretchered off towards the end of the 1-0 victory over Falkirk.
Last season: Motherwell 1 Celtic 1, Celtic 2 Motherwell 0, Motherwell 2 Celtic 4
Last five league matches: Celtic W D W W L; Motherwell D D W L W
Top scorers: Scott McDonald (Celtic) 7; Ross Forbes (Motherwell) 6
Referee: Chris Boyle (Scotland).
Dundee Utd (4) v Hamilton (11)
United are without three key midfielders. Scott Robertson is sidelined with a groin problem, while Prince Buaben and Danny Swanson are suspended, meaning Jennison Myrie-Williams, Craig Conway and David Robertson are all vying for starting places. Captain Lee Wilkie (ankle) is doubtful, left-back Paul Dixon is also ruled out with a knee injury, while Francisco Sandaza, Jon Daly and Kevin Smith are all out long term.
Hamilton will welcome back key men Mark McLaughlin (flu) and Simon Mensing (hamstring). Captain Alex Neil (hip) could be back in the frame before the end of the month but Derek Lyle (knee) and James Gibson (knee) are out for the season.
Last season: Hamilton 0 Dundee Utd 1, Dundee Utd 1 Hamilton 1, Hamilton 3 Dundee Utd 1
Last five league matches: Dundee Utd W D L W D; Hamilton L W D L L
Top scorers: Danny Cadamarteri (Dundee Utd) 4; Mickael Antoine-Curier (Hamilton) 4
Referee: Iain Brines (Scotland).
Falkirk (12) v St Mirren (7)
Falkirk left-back Thomas Scobbie faces six weeks out after suffering a recurrence of the pelvic problems which dogged him last season. The Bairns hope to have Scott Arfield fit after he missed Scotland Under-21s' 1-0 win over Belarus with an ankle problem while Ryan Flynn is battling to overcome illness.
St Mirren will again be without Michael Higdon, Mo Camara and Steven Robb. Higdon picked up a knee injury in the latter stages of the game against Celtic almost three weeks ago but is expected to start training again next week. Camara has undergone knee surgery while Robb remains out with a groin injury.
Last season: Falkirk 0 St Mirren 2, St Mirren 2 Falkirk 2, Falkirk 1 St Mirren 2, St Mirren 1 Falkirk 1
Last five league matches: Falkirk L D D D L; St Mirren W D L L W
Top scorers: Kjartan Finnbogason & Ryan Flynn (Falkirk) 2; Billy Mehmet (St Mirren) 7
Referee: Crawford Allan (Scotland).
Hibernian (3) v Kilmarnock (9)
Hibs have no injury concerns after their internationals returned to the club unscathed. Boss John Hughes feared the likes of senior stars Derek Riordan, Liam Miller, Sol Bamba, Merouane Zemmama and Abdessalam Benjelloun, and Under-21 pair Paul Hanlon and David Wotherspoon might pick up injuries but all seven are ready to play. However, that may not stop Hughes tinkering with his side as he guards against burn-out.
Kilmarnock captain Kevin Kyle is set to return, having recovered from a knee injury which kept him out of the 1-1 draw with Aberdeen. Midfielder Mehdi Taouil has had a virus all week and is doubtful, defender Frazer Wright should recover from a knock while midfielder Manuel Pascali is back after a ban.
Last season: Kilmarnock 1 Hibernian 1, Hibernian 2 Kilmarnock 4, Kilmarnock 1 Hibernian 0
Last five league matches: Hibernian L L W W D; Kilmarnock L L D D D
Top scorers: Derek Riordan (Hibernian) 5; Kevin Kyle (Kilmarnock) 4
Referee: Craig Thomson (Scotland).
St Johnstone (10) v Rangers (2)
Captain Kevin Rutkiewicz may be forced to delay his comeback from a knee injury after picking up a slight back strain. Saints will definitely be without Steven Milne (ankle) but Filipe Morais (knee) and Jody Moris (virus) have returned to training. Kevin Moon comes into contention after overcoming a groin problem but the game will come too soon for Peter MacDonald, despite his recovery from a torn hamstring.
Kris Boyd is in contention after making a quick recovery from an eye injury. The striker suffered a small fracture to his eye socket following a clash of heads during the Old Firm derby. He was expected to be sidelined for several weeks but has declared himself fit for tomorrow. However, long-term casualties Kirk Broadfoot and Maurice Edu remain on the sidelines.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: St Johnstone D D L L W; Rangers W D D D W
Top scorers: Kenny Deuchar & Collin Samuel (St Johnstone) 4; Kenny Miller (Rangers) 4
Referee: William Collum (Scotland).
