Aberdeen v Celtic
Aberdeen usher in a new era under the guidance of Mark McGhee when they open the season against Celtic.
The Dons secured a respectable fourth-placed finish last season, but will be hoping to push the top two closer this time around.
Celtic, who are also under new management in the form of Tony Mowbray, saw Old Firm rivals Rangers wrestle the title from their clutches last term and they will be desperate to start the new campaign in positive fashion.
Jerel Ifil is set to make his Aberdeen debut in McGhee's first SPL game in charge.
Zander Diamond, Michael Paton and Bertrand Bossu have all recovered from injury, with Tommy Wright (calf) the only absentee.
Gary Caldwell is suspended for Celtic's trip to Pittodrie.
The Hoops defender, who was sent off for Scotland in their 4-0 defeat by Norway in midweek, carries his suspension over from last season.
With Stephen McManus still injured, Darren O'Dea is set to partner Glenn Loovens in the centre of defence.
Hibernian v St Mirren
Hibernian will start their SPL season against St Mirren without the suspended Ian Murray.
The versatile defender begins a three-match ban and is joined on the sidelines by striker Jonatan Johansson, who is the only confirmed injury.
New goalkeeper Graham Stack is finally fit but may have to make do with a place on the bench.
Striking starlet Kurtis Byrne has recovered from a minor operation while the fitness of Merouane Zemmama, Sol Bamba and Yves Ma-Kalambay will be monitored following their return from international duty.
St Mirren will be without Mo Camara for their clash at Easter Road.
The full-back picked up a knee injury in last weekend's friendly defeat at Wigan but new signing Chris Innes has shaken off the leg problem he suffered in the same game.
Long-term casualty Chris Smith (knee) and Hugh Murray (groin) are still missing.
Kilmarnock v Hamilton
Kilmarnock will have Kevin Kyle available to face Hamilton Academical, who have selection problems for the opening SPL game of the season.
Home skipper Kyle missed several weeks of pre-season with a stomach muscle strain, but has been passed fit to face the Accies.
The striker has trained all week along with previous injury doubts Tim Clancy and Mehdi Taouil, but Mark Burchill and David Fernandez are still doubtful.
Danny Invincibile is responding well to treatment to the injury that kept him out of Australia's win over the Republic of Ireland, but Alan Combe (hip), Allan Russell (knee) and James Fowler (hernia) will miss out.
Hamilton have several players missing for the trip to Rugby Park due to a combination of suspension and injury.
Mark McLaughlin, Martin Canning and James McArthur are all suspended for the visit to Rugby Park, while Trent McClenahan, Alex Neil and James Gibson are sidelined through injury.
However, new signings Luis Rubiales and John Paul Kissock will both be in the squad, along with fellow new recruits James Wesolowski and David Louhoungou.
Rangers v Falkirk
Rangers begin the defence of their SPL title with a home clash against Falkirk on Saturday.
Gers manager Walter Smith has been dealt a blow with the news Pedro Mendes is out for the weekend.
The midfielder has been ruled out with a thigh strain while Nacho Novo has a dislocated shoulder.
Adding to Smith's selection woes are Sasa Papac and Kyle Lafferty, who are suspended.
Kevin Thomson will be in the squad but is unlikely to start after a lengthy lay-off from competitive action with a serious knee injury.
Mark Stewart is the only absentee from Falkirk's squad for the fixture.
The forward suffered a groin injury earlier in pre-season and is around two weeks away from a comeback.
Josh Wagenaar comes into the squad after signing earlier this week but Robert Olejnik will continue in goal.
St Johnstone v Motherwell
St Johnstone will be hoping to begin life back in the SPL with a win against Motherwell at McDiarmid Park.
Saints boss Derek McInnes has six players missing through injury for the opening-day visit of Jim Gannon's side.
Kevin Rutkiewicz (knee), Graeme Smith (thigh), Peter MacDonald (hamstring), Kevin Moon (groin) and Chris Millar (calf) join long-term injured Andy Jackson on the sidelines.
McInnes has added youngsters Stephen Reynolds and David Heagney to his squad.
Motherwell goalkeeper Michael Fraser is set to miss their season-opener at St Johnstone with a hip problem.
However, on-loan Everton keeper John Ruddy started both games against Steaua Bucharest and will remain between the posts.
New signing Tom Hateley is unlikely to come into the squad straight away while fringe player Darren Smith is sidelined by injury.
Monday 17th August
19:45 Dundee Utd vs Hearts
