Rangers face a difficult trip to Hearts in Wednesday’s headline clash
Celtic welcome in-form Dundee United to Parkhead
After beating Dundee, St Mirren host rock-bottom Hibs
The Scottish Premiership returns with a full midweek programme on Wednesday night and there is plenty at stake across the division.
Celtic begin the round four points clear at the top of the table, while Rangers know they cannot afford any slip-ups if they are to stay in touch with the champions.
Elsewhere, several clubs are separated by only a handful of points in the battle for a top-six place.
We've picked out the key stats, team news and score predictions for all six fixtures.
Aberdeen vs Falkirk – Wednesday October 28 (7.45pm)
Key stats
Falkirk have won two and drawn one of their last three meetings with Aberdeen
The Bairns are unbeaten in their last three away league matches
Team news
Aberdeen will be without defender Kristers Tobers through injury, though 13-goal leading scorer Kevin Nisbet is fit and expected to start.
Falkirk continue to manage a lengthy injury list that includes Aidan Nesbitt, Aodhan Doherty, Ethan Laidlaw, Joe Gardner and Keelan Adams.
Need to know
The Dons have struggled for consistency in the league, winning only three of their opening 10 fixtures. However, they have been solid at Pittodrie, where they have conceded only four Premiership goals this season.
Falkirk head north in confident mood after back-to-back league wins. John McGlynn's side have been one of the division's form teams over the last month and their recent record against Aberdeen suggests they can take something from this contest.
Score prediction
Celtic vs Dundee United – Wednesday October 28 (7.45pm)
Key stats
Celtic have won nine of their opening 10 Premiership matches
Dundee United are unbeaten in their last five league games
Team news
Yang Hyun-Jun is unavailable for Celtic, while Alistair Johnston remains a fitness concern after coming off injured against Hibernian.
The Tangerines are expected to be without William Ferry, Mehdi Merghem and Emmanuel Agyei.
Need to know
Despite some disappointing recent results in cup and European competition, Celtic remain the benchmark domestically.
The Hoops boast the best attacking and defensive records in the division and have won four of their five league matches at Celtic Park.
Dundee United have won two of their last four matches against Celtic, but both of those were at Tannadice and they will be chasing their first victory at Parkhead since Boxing Day 1992 on Wednesday.
Score prediction
Dundee vs Kilmarnock – Wednesday October 28 (7.45pm)
Key stats
Dundee have lost only two Premiership home games since January
Kilmarnock have conceded seven goals across their last three trips to Dens Park
Team news
Dee midfielder Charlie Reilly is pushing for a recall to the starting XI after missing over a month of action with a broken toe.
Kilmarnock goalkeeper Max Stryjek is a long-term absentee with a knee injury, while midfielder Bailey Rice has a groin problem.
Need to know
History suggests there should be goals in this fixture with Dundee (150) and Kilmarnock (155) having conceded over 300 between them in the Premiership since the start of the 2024-25 season.
Both teams have scored in 19 of the last 20 meetings of these clubs with a total of four goals scored in each of the last two.
Score prediction
St Johnstone vs Motherwell – Wednesday October 28 (7.45pm)
Key stats
St Johnstone’s only Premiership defeats since August have come against the Old Firm
Motherwell have failed to win any of their last seven on the road, losing four of the last five
Team news
Bozo Mikulic is pushing for a start for the hosts after featuring as one of three half-time substitutes at Ibrox, but Kai Fotheringham is suspended after his red card.
John Koutroumbis, Alex Lowry, Oscar Priestman and Lukas Fadinger missed Motherwell's home defeat to Hearts with Dylan Levitt and Jake Girdwood-Reich coming into the side.
Need to know
St Johnstone’s Josh Fowler is the joint-top Premiership scorer with six goals — accounting for over half of his team’s total output of 11.
Motherwell’s losing streak extended to six games on Saturday with the 2-0 loss to Hearts. The last time the Steelmen lost as many consecutive matches was April 2003.
Score prediction
St Mirren vs Hibernian – Wednesday October 28 (7.45pm)
Key stats
St Mirren ended a five-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over Dundee
Hibernian are winless in their last five league matches
Team news
Nikolas Agrafiotis, Malik Dijksteel, Keanu Baccus and Jonah Ayunga remain sidelined for the hosts.
Hibernian are still without Callum Wright, Nathan Lowe, Kanayochukwu Megwa, Rocky Bushiri and Jordan Obita.
Need to know
St Mirren finally halted their worrying slide at the weekend and the victory over Dundee could prove a turning point for Craig McLeish's side.
The Saints have generally looked more comfortable on home soil and should approach this fixture with renewed confidence.
Hibs remain rooted near the foot of the table and continue to struggle for goals.
Their away form has been considerably better than their results at Easter Road, but they have yet to show enough consistency to be backed with confidence.
Score prediction
Hearts vs Rangers – Wednesday October 28 (8pm)
Key stats
Hearts are the second-highest scorers in the Scottish Premiership (22), behind only Celtic (25)
Rangers have won 10, drawn one and lost one of the last 12 matches in all competitions
Team news
Hearts are expected to be without Blair Spittal, Christian Borchgrevink, Craig Halkett, Harry Milne, Oisin McEntee, Stuart Findlay, Eduardo Ageu and Tom Renaud again.
Former Jambos duo Lawrence Shankland and Cameron Devlin will miss this trip to Tynecastle, alongside Daisuke Yokota, Jose Cifuentes, Ross McCrorie and Youssef Chermiti.
Need to know
This is the standout fixture of the midweek card. Tynecastle is one of the most intimidating venues in Scottish football and Hearts will relish the opportunity to test themselves against title-chasing opposition.
Rangers know that anything less than victory could allow Celtic to extend their advantage at the summit.
While Hearts are capable of making life difficult, the visitors possess greater quality throughout the pitch and should edge a closely-contested encounter.
Score prediction
