Celtic and Heart of Midlothian face each other on Sunday in one of the Scottish Premiership’s most anticipated matches of the weekend, as last season’s top two sides aim to bounce back from underwhelming European outcomes. Both teams continue to represent Scotland in European competitions, which adds extra weight to their encounter.
Saturday also offers a busy schedule, with four games set for 15:00 BST before Dundee play host to Rangers. The Glasgow club will be seeking a win that could move them ahead of Celtic in the table and pile more pressure on the defending champions.
Celtic vs Hearts: Title contenders clash following European disappointments
Celtic sit two points ahead at the Premiership summit and have triumphed in 14 of their last 15 league fixtures, netting at least twice in 11 of those wins. Nevertheless, their domestic success has been eclipsed by a 4-1 Europa League loss to Benfica, leaving Martin O’Neill under fresh examination after a tough spell that includes four defeats in five matches across all competitions.
O’Neill has emphasised Hearts’ quality and pointed to the improvement Celtic displayed in the second half against Benfica. Despite their European setback, the hosts will be expected to widen the gap over the third-placed visitors, having also lost their other recent games against Rangers and Ferencváros.
Hearts, under the guidance of Wouter Vrancken, will be eager to continue the title push they built under Derek McInnes last season. Their away form remains a worry, with just two victories in their last 11 league games on the road and no clean sheets during that stretch.
Their most recent trip to Celtic Park ended in a painful loss that let Celtic surpass them at the summit on the final day of last season. Hearts have nonetheless won twice in their last six visits to the stadium and have lost only once in their previous 13 matches overall, though they conceded a late equaliser against Nordsjaelland in their Conference League opener.
Rangers vs Dundee: Visitors aim for the top spot
Rangers came back from the international break with a win over Kilmarnock, briefly climbing to the top before Celtic reestablished their two-point lead. They head to Dundee hoping to extend a seven-match winning run and preserve their unbeaten record in four Premiership away fixtures this season, three of which ended in victory.
History also favours Rangers, who have not lost to Dundee in 20 meetings since November 2017. They won the last two clashes 3-0 and have claimed six wins in their previous eight trips to Dens Park.
Dundee, meanwhile, has displayed signs of progress under Steven Pressley. They have lost only once in their last four games and won their most recent two matches, while Hibernian remain the only side to avoid defeat at Dens Park in six games this season.
Rangers will also look to the form of Ryan Naderi, who has netted six goals in 12 appearances this season, and winger Djeidi Gassama. Gassama has completed more dribbles, registered more touches in opposition penalty areas, and won more fouls than any other player in the Premiership this season.
Aberdeen vs St Mirren and the pursuit of consistency
Aberdeen’s recent momentum halted with a defeat to St Johnstone, leaving Stephen Robinson’s side with only two wins in seven matches, including one settled by a penalty shootout. They have also failed to score in their last three home league games, putting them at risk of matching a poor run last seen in 2012.
The timing of St Mirren’s visit is especially tricky for Aberdeen. Robinson is facing his former club, now managed by his former assistant, and has yet to defeat them in three attempts. St Mirren have won their last two meetings with Aberdeen, both by 2-0 scorelines, and have lost only once in their previous seven encounters overall.
St Mirren arrive after four straight defeats, including two away losses without scoring. A midfield contest could be key, with Ryan Carr having attempted more tackles than any player in the league this season and Aberdeen’s Afeez Aremu ranking second in that category.
Hibernian, Kilmarnock, and Motherwell face important tests
Hibernian manager Marink Reedijk will be seeking his first win in charge when Falkirk visits Easter Road. Falkirk are the only Premiership side yet to win away from home this season and have not won at Hibernian since August 2014, although their previous five visits ended in draws.
Both clubs have struggled to convert chances, ranking among the division’s bottom three in that category. Hibernian have won only once in their last six matches and will also be aiming to end an eight-game run without a clean sheet, while Falkirk have taken points from their most recent two outings despite losing their previous two.
Kilmarnock face another tough assignment against Motherwell as they try to improve a run of just one win in seven matches. They have not beaten Motherwell in their last four meetings, and their home record has been particularly poor, with few points and goals scored alongside a high number of goals conceded.
Motherwell are hardly arriving in confident form, having won only once in nine matches and lost four in a row. New manager Alfred Johansson will be looking to reverse that trend after receiving early praise for maintaining the playing style established under Jens Berthel Askou.
Meanwhile, St Johnstone and Dundee United meet in Perth after both sides won last weekend. Dundee United will be wary of Premiership top scorer Josh Fowler, whose five goals have come from just 10 attempts.