Dundee United won four of their final five home Scottish Premiership matches last season
Falkirk lost five of their final six matches of the campaign
Kilmarnock scored 13 goals in their final four league games of last term
It is only a few months since Celtic claimed a dramatic Scottish Premiership title success, but the top-flight is back this week for the start of what should be another gripping campaign.
All 12 teams will be desperate to get off to a strong start and Ian Wilkerson has correct‑score picks for all six of this weekend’s Scottish Premiership matches.
Dundee United vs Rangers (8pm, Friday)
Rangers embark upon a new era under the stewardship of former Hearts manager Derek McInnes and they could face a tough opener at Dundee United.
The Gers had to settle for a draw on their last visit to Tannadice and United won four of their final five home games of last term, including a 2-0 triumph over champions Celtic.
Score prediction: Dundee United 1-1 Rangers
Fallkirk vs St Mirren (3pm, Saturday)
Falkirk clung on for a top-half finish last term but they lost five of their final six games of the campaign and conceded at least twice in seven of their final eight, including a 2-1 defeat to Saturday’s opponents.
St Mirren scored 12 goals in four League Cup matches to warm up for the season and could take the points.
Score prediction: Falkirk 1-2 St Mirren
Aberdeen vs Hearts (5.30pm, Saturday)
Hearts took the title race right to the bitter end last season, but they have work to do after seeing manager McInnes and top striker Lawrence Shankland both head to Rangers.
However, opponents Aberdeen won just four Premiership games after December 14 last season and a determined Jambos effort should see them home.
Score prediction: Aberdeen 0-2 Hearts
St Johnstone vs Kilmarnock (2pm, Sunday)
St Johnstone stormed back into the big time by winning the Scottish Championship by 11 points last season and will be desperate to hit the ground running in their opener against Kilmarnock.
However, Killie finished like a train last term, winning their last four games and scoring 13 goals, so this could be a high-scoring draw.
Score prediction: St Johnstone 2-2 Kilmarnock
Hibernian vs Motherwell (4pm, Sunday)
Motherwell can reflect on a decent campaign last season even if they did win just two of their final 10 league games.
One of those successes was on the last weekend at Hibs and they can leave the capital with the points as the home side lost their final three league outings at Easter Road.
Score prediction: Hibernian 0-1 Motherwell
Celtic vs Dundee (7.30pm, Monday)
Champions Celtic should be confident that they can come out on top in their opener against Dundee but the Dark Blues can still make an impression at Parkhead.
The Bhoys have won their last nine home games against these visitors, but they kept just one clean sheet in their final 11 league matches of last season.
Score prediction: Celtic 3-1 Dundee
