Soccer

Beat The Bookie: all this weekend's Scottish Premiership soccer stats, news, form, top scorers and betting odds

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP STATISTICS

Saturday, August 26

Celtic (1) v St Johnstone (2)

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will assess Jozo Simunovic after he missed the last two matches with a knock before training on Friday morning. Defender Dedryck Boyata is back training after recovering from a knee injury but is a few weeks away from full fitness while stopper Erik Sviatchenko, midfielder Eboue Kouassi (ankle) and striker Moussa Dembele (hamstring), remain out.

Denny Johnstone goes into the St Johnstone squad for the trip to Celtic Park on Saturday following his move from Colchester United. The 22-year-old striker, who came through the youth ranks at Parkhead, joined Saints on a season-long loan on Friday. Midfielder Blair Alston remains out with a thigh injury.

Last season: Celtic 4 St Johnstone 1, St Johnstone 2 Celtic 5, Celtic 1 St Johnstone 0, St Johnstone 2 Celtic 4

Last five league matches: Celtic W W W W W; St Johnstone W L W W W

Top scorers (all competitions): Scott Sinclair (Celtic) 7; Michael O'Halloran (St Johnstone) 4

Match odds: H 2-11 D 11-2 A 16-1

Referee: William Collum (Scotland)

Kilmarnock (10) v Hamilton (4)

Kilmarnock captain Steven Smith is gradually making his return to regular action following a groin problem, but new signing Stuart Findlay will be in contention to feature. Gary Dicker (stomach), Greg Kiltie (ankle) and Scott Boyd (knock) are all still struggling, but Kirk Broadfoot is in line to return to the defence after serving a one-match ban last weekend.

Hamilton hope to welcome Massimo Donati back into their line-up for Saturday's trip to Kilmarnock. The Italian missed last week's win over Hibernian with a back spasm. New frontman Antonio Rojano is still waiting on the necessary clearance to play after signing a two-year deal this week, while long-term absentee Michael Devlin (knee) remains out.

Last season: Hamilton 0 Kilmarnock 2, Hamilton 1 Kilmarnock 1, Kilmarnock 0 Hamilton 0, Hamilton 1 Kilmarnock 2

Last five league matches: Kilmarnock L L L L L; Hamilton L W L W W

Top scorers (all competitions): Kris Boyd (Kilmarnock) 4; Rakish Bingham, Steven Boyd & Ryan Tierney (Hamilton) 3

Match odds: H 6-4 D 11-5 A 15-8

Referee: Andrew Dallas (Scotland)

Motherwell (8) v Hearts (7)

New Motherwell signing Deimantas Petravicius could make his debut against Hearts. Keeper Trevor Carson and midfielder Carl McHugh will also come back into contention after serving one-match bans against Ross County following their red cards against St Johnstone. Boss Stephen Robinson could also welcome back Elliott Frear (groin) and Steven Hammell (hamstring) after both men returned to training this week.

Jon Daly welcomes back Lewis Moore into his Hearts squad after the midfielder has been absent for nearly three weeks with a knock. The one absentee from Daly's squad with be Ashley Smith-Brown, who remains on the sidelines with an ankle injury, but the Jambos otherwise have a clean bill of health.

Last season: Motherwell 0 Hearts 3, Hearts 3 Motherwell 0, Motherwell 1 Hearts 3

Last five league matches: Motherwell W L L L W; Hearts L L L W D

Top scorers (all competitions): Chris Cadden (Motherwell) 4; Kyle Lafferty (Hearts) 4

Match odds: H 12-5 D 13-5 A 21-20

Referee: John Beaton (Scotland)

Partick (11) v Aberdeen (3)

Partick Thistle defender Callum Booth will miss Saturday's Ladbrokes Premiership clash with Aberdeen after being ruled out for three months. The left-back suffered a knee ligament injury in last weekend's defeat at St Johnstone. Long-term absentees Gary Fraser and Mustapha Dumbuya (both knee) remain out.

Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes once again has a full squad to choose from. Adam Rooney made his comeback from a thigh injury last week, but is likely to remain on the bench following the goalscoring exploits of Stevie May. Greg Stewart and Nicky Maynard are pushing for starts after coming off the bench in the win over Dundee.

Last season: Partick 0 Aberdeen 6, Aberdeen 2 Partick 0, Partick 1 Aberdeen 2, Aberdeen 2 Partick 1

Last five league matches: Partick L L L L L; Aberdeen W W W W W

Top scorers (all competitions): Chris Erskine, Steven Lawless & Blair Spittal (Partick) 3; Ryan Christie & Stevie May (Aberdeen) 2

Match odds: H 4-1 D 14-5 A 4-6

Referee: Bobby Madden (Scotland)

Sunday, August 27

Dundee (12) v Hibernian (5)

Neil McCann has two late calls to make for Dundee. Randy Wolters and Faissal El-Bakhtaoui (both hamstring) will be monitored on Saturday, but McCann admitted they would be risks if included. Marcus Haber has been ruled out after a scan.

Neil Lennon hopes to have a fully-fit Hibernian squad. Leith new boy Brandon Barker has shaken off a tight hamstring picked up after making his debut against Hamilton last week. Midfielder Marvin Bartley should return from a knock while attacker Martin Boyle (ankle) will be assessed.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Dundee L L L L L; Hibernian W D W W L

Top scorers (all competitions): Sofien Moussa (Dundee) 5; Simon Murray (Hibernian) 10

Match odds: H 13-5 D 12-5 A 21-20

Referee: Donald Robertson (Scotland)

Ross County (9) v Rangers (6)

Ross County defender Kenny van der Weg sits out Sunday's Ladbrokes Premiership clash with Rangers following his red card against Motherwell. Staggies boss Jim McIntyre has slight injury concerns over Andrew Davies and Jim O'Brien after both men pulled up at Fir Park with hamstring strains but is hopeful both will return in time.

Rangers will be without wideman Josh Windass. The former Accrington playmaker suffered a knee injury during last week's draw with Hearts. Striker Eduardo Herrera should return, though, after recovering from the knock which kept him out against the Jambos.

Last season: Rangers 1 Ross County 1, Ross County 1 Rangers 1, Rangers 0 Ross County 0

Last five league matches: Ross County W W W L L; Rangers L W W L D

Top scorers (all competitions): Craig Curran (Ross County) 5; Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) 3

Match odds: H 4-1 D 3-1 A 13-20

Referee: Craig Thomson (Scotland)