• Hearts' lead at the top of the standings has been cut to four points

• Celtic are set to appoint Wilfried Nancy as their new manager

• Rangers are a perfect four wins from four in the league under Danny Rohl

The Scottish Premiership title race is heating up and there are six more key fixtures to look forward to this weekend.

Leaders Hearts, who have stumbled over recent weeks, can re-establish a seven-point advantage over the chasing pack with victory at Motherwell on Saturday.

Fail to win, and the gap at the top could be down to a point by the end of the weekend, if second-placed Celtic triumph at Hibernian in Sunday's early kick-off.

Later that day Rangers, still labouring down in fifth, entertain a Falkirk side sitting just a place below them in the standings.

Dundee vs St. Mirren (Saturday 3pm)

Dundee are on a four-match losing streak and St. Mirren have taken just one point from their last six league games, so confidence could be low for both sides ahead of this Dens Park clash.

These are also two of the lowest-scoring sides in the Premiership – both averaging less than a goal-per-game – and they may end up cancelling each other out.

Score prediction: Dundee 0-0 St. Mirren

Motherwell vs Hearts (Saturday 3pm)

A draw and a defeat in their last two games has seen Hearts' lead at the top cut dramatically and they may struggle in their attempts to return to winning ways at in-form Motherwell.

Jens Berthel Askou's hosts have taken 13 points from the last 15 available and can themselves close to within six points of the leaders with a victory, although both teams may have to settle for a point.

Score prediction: Motherwell 1-1 Hearts

Kilmarnock vs Dundee United (Saturday, 5.45pm)

Kilmarnock have lost six games on the bounce, heaping the pressure on manager Stuart Kettlewell, who may not get a reprieve when Dundee United head to Rugby Park.

The Terrors are hardly in great nick themselves, taking one point from their last three games, but they have drawn at both Hearts and Rangers over recent weeks and should have enough to edge this game.

Score prediction: Kilmarnock 1-2 Dundee United

Hibernian vs Celtic (Sunday, 12pm)

Wilfried Nancy looks set to be confirmed as Celtic's new manager over the coming days, but whether it is the Frenchman or interim boss Martin O'Neill in the dugout for Sunday's trip to Hibernian, the Bhoys will still expect to win.

Celtic have won five of their six matches with O'Neill at the helm and will be buoyed by their midweek European success at Feyenoord. Hibs will be no pushovers, but may come up short against the improving reigning champions.

Score prediction: Hibernian 1-2 Celtic

Rangers vs Falkirk (Sunday, 2pm)

Rangers are a perfect four wins from four in the Premiership under Danny Rohl and finally picked up their first Europa League point of the season against Sporting Braga on Thursday night.

Confidence should certainly be building at Ibrox and they can take another step in the right direction by getting the better of an in-form Falkirk, although the visitors can breach what remains a nervy home defence.

Score prediction: Rangers 3-1 Falkirk

Livingston vs Aberdeen (Sunday, 3pm) 

Aberdeen will have been disappointed to draw with FC Noah in the Conference League on Thursday, but that result did extend their unbeaten run to five and they will be confident of picking up at least a point at bottom of the table Livingston.

Livi were only just edged out at Rangers last week and had drawn back-to-back games before that, so another share of the spoils could be on the cards at the Home of the Set Fare Arena.

Score prediction: Livingston 1-1 Aberdeen