Saturday, November 7
Aberdeen (3) v Dundee United (12)
Aberdeen forward Cammy Smith is back in training following a groin injury. Andrew Considine has recovered from the head knock that forced him off at Celtic Park. But Josh Parker is a doubt after suffering a knock in training.
Dundee United midfielder Aidan Connolly is suspended after being sent off against Ross County last Saturday. Paul Dixon is still not ready to feature after hernia surgery while Mario Bilate (knee), Chris Erskine (pelvis), Paul Paton (knee), Ryan Dow (groin) and Callum Morris (calf) also remain on the sidelines.
Last season: Dundee Utd 1 Aberdeen 0, Aberdeen 1 Dundee Utd, 0 Dundee Utd 0 Aberdeen 2, Aberdeen 0 Dundee Utd 3
Last five league matches: Aberdeen L L L D L; Dundee Utd L L L L W
Top scorers (all competitions): Adam Rooney (Aberdeen) 8; Billy McKay (Dundee Utd) 4
Match odds: H 4-9 A 6-1 D 7-2
Referee: Steven McLean
Dundee (7) v Partick Thistle (11)
Dundee welcome midfielder Kevin Thomson back to the squad but defender James McPake remains out with a groin injury. Fellow centre-back Julen Etxabeguren again misses out with an ankle problem.
Partick Thistle goalkeeping coach Paul Gallacher will make his first appearance of the season against Dundee. Tomas Cerny (ankle) remains out and Ryan Scully is suspended following his red card against Hearts. Long-term absentee Christie Elliott (back) is also still out.
Last season: Dundee 1 Partick 0, Partick 1 Dundee 1, Dundee 1 Partick 1
Last five league matches: Dundee D W D L D; Partick L W W D L
Top scorers (all competitions): Rory Loy (Dundee) 6; Kris Doolan & David Amoo (Partick) 2
Match odds: H 13-10 A 11-5 D 11-5
Referee: William Collum
Hearts (2) v Hamilton (6)
Jamie Walker will sit out again for Hearts. The midfielder is undergoing therapy on a knee injury but is expected to be fit after the international break. Blazej Augustyn returns from suspension and Miguel Pallardo (Achilles) is expected to make it but centre-back Alim Ozturk (hernia) remains out and striker Soufian El Hassnaoui is still building up his fitness after a knee injury.
Darian MacKinnon and Lucas Tagliapietra return from suspension but Grant Gillespie is banned. Danny Redmond stepped up his recovery from a hamstring injury by playing the first half of the 4-0 development league win over Rangers, but is not expected to feature at Tynecastle. Darren Lyon will be out for about six weeks following knee surgery while Michael Devlin (ankle) also remains out.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Hearts D D W W W; Hamilton W L D D L
Top scorers (all competitions): Juanma Delgado (Hearts) 8; Dougie Imrie (Hamilton) 4
Match odds: H 10-11 A 3-1 D 5-2
Referee: Bobby Madden
Motherwell (10) v Inverness (9)
Keith Lasley (calf) and Steven Hammell (groin) remain out for Motherwell, but Hammell has returned to training and both players will be back after the international break. Stephen Pearson has had more treatment on the knee injury that he suffered at Inverness but he will play again.
Inverness pair Miles Storey (knee) and Gary Warren - who made a 10-minute return from a broken leg last weekend - will be assessed on Saturday morning. Right-back David Raven is suspended.
Last season: Motherwell 2 Inverness 1, Inverness 3 Motherwell 1, Motherwell 0 Inverness 2
Last five league matches: Motherwell W L L D W; Inverness W W L L D
Top scorers (all competitions): Louis Moult (Motherwell) 6; Miles Storey (Inverness) 4
Match odds: H 8-5 A 9-5 D 11-5
Referee: Craig Thomson
St Johnstone (4) v Kilmarnock (8)
St Johnstone skipper Dave Mackay is ready to return after a two-game ban. Midfielder Chris Millar has trained this week and is in the squad after missing five games with a hamstring strain but Simon Lappin is out after groin surgery. Top goalscorer Steven MacLean was rested against Hamilton but will spearhead the Saints attack against Killie.
Kilmarnock are sweating on the fitness of forward Rory McKenzie. The Scotland Under-21 international has a tight groin and will be assessed on Friday before boss Gary Locke picks his team. Defender Darryl Westlake is out with an ankle problem while long-term absentee Chris Johnston remains unavailable after tearing knee ligaments.
Last season: St Johnstone 0 Kilmarnock 0, Kilmarnock 0 St Johnstone 1, St Johnstone 1 Kilmarnock 2
Last five league matches: St Johnstone W W L W W; Kilmarnock L D W W L
Top scorers (all competitions): Steven MacLean (St Johnstone) 10; Josh Magennis (Kilmarnock) 6
Match odds: H 4-6 A 4-1 D 14-5
Referee: Allan Crawford
mfl
Source: PA-WIRE
