Clydesdale Bank Premier League
Saturday 5th December
12:30 Falkirk vs Rangers
Kjartan Finnbogason is back in the Falkirk squad to face Rangers in Saturday's SPL clash.
Finnbogason has recovered from a knee injury and will start on the bench in the lunchtime kick-off.
Pedro Pele will make his first Falkirk start but Eddie May is still awaiting international clearance for prospective signing Toufik Zerara.
Sean Lynch (hamstring), Mark Stewart (stomach), Jackie McNamara (knee), Burton O'Brien (hernia) and Tam Scobbie (pelvis) are still on the sidelines.
Maurice Edu and Kirk Broadfoot are edging closer to a return but the game at Falkirk comes too soon for the pair.
Both are back in full training after long-term injuries and are expected to be pushing for a first team return towards the end of the month.
Jerome Rothen remains in France recovering from swine flu, while Pedro Mendes is still out of action with a knee injury.
15:00 Celtic vs Aberdeen
League leaders Celtic will be looking to establish some consistency when they take on Aberdeen.
The Hoops may be top of the table, but they have played a game more than second-placed Rangers and have already slipped to two defeats.
The Dons will be hoping to make it three on Saturday, with Mark McGhee's side pushing hard to join those hot on the heels of the Old Firm.
Zheng Zhi is set to make his return to action for Celtic this weekend.
The China captain was ineligible for the Europa League win over Hapoel Tel Aviv on Wednesday night.
Number one goalkeeper Artur Boruc is fit again following his recovery from a knee injury and manager Tony Mowbray will decide whether to reinstate him at the expense of fellow Pole Lukasz Zaluska.
Aberdeen are hopeful defenders Andrew Considine and Jerel Ifil will be ready to return at Parkhead.
Both missed Saturday's 1-0 win over Rangers - Ifil after injuring himself in the warm-up - but they are expected to pass morning fitness checks.
Fraser Fyvie is back from an ankle injury but may only be on the bench, Gary McDonald returns from suspension, but Sone Aluko (stomach) and Zander Diamond are set to miss out again, the latter amid reports he was rushed to hospital with a heavy nosebleed days after breaking his nose in training.
15:00 Dundee Utd vs St Mirren
Dundee United will be without Danny Swanson and Prince Buaben as Steven Robb returns for St Mirren.
Swanson and Buaben were sent off at Motherwell last weekend so their absence gives David Robertson and youngster Ryan McCord a chance to stake a claim in Craig Levein's side.
Defender Garry Kenneth is fit again after a groin strain but will have to settle for a substitute role, as will striker Jon Daly, while Scott Robertson (groin), Lee Wilkie (knee) and Francisco Sandaza (groin) are long-term absentees.
Midfielder Robb has been out of action since September but has recovered from a groin injury and will be in the squad for the trip to Tannadice.
Andy Dorman is expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury, while Allan Johnston misses out after suffering a recurrence of a groin injury.
15:00 Hibernian vs Motherwell
Hibernian will be looking to keep pace with Rangers and Celtic when they entertain Motherwell.
Hibs currently sit third, level on points with the Gers and two behind the Hoops, and could go top this weekend if other results go their way.
Well will have aspirations of putting a serious dent in their rivals' bid to reach the summit, but their only defeat this season did come against John Hughes' side back in September.
Hibernian will make sure Graham Stack suffers no reaction in training following his back injury before making a decision on their goalkeeper.
Stack had to be substituted in last weekend's 2-0 win over Falkirk and manager Hughes will persist with understudy Yves Ma-Kalambay if the former Arsenal trainee is not 100% per cent fit.
Midfielder Kevin McBride is again rated 50-50 after being forced to sit out his first SPL game of the season on Saturday with an ankle injury, while Kevin McCann (hamstring) remains sidelined.
Steve Jennings will return to the Motherwell squad after missing the draw against Dundee United with an ankle injury.
Shaun Hutchinson (hamstring) and Chris Humphrey (ankle) remain on the sidelines while Marc Fitzpatrick and Darren Smith are continuing their rehabilitation programmes.
Paul Slane has suffered a minor niggle in his bid to return from two operations on his lower leg but Motherwell are confident he will be back over the festive period.
15:00 St Johnstone vs Kilmarnock
St Johnstone defender Graham Gartland is back in contention for the SPL clash with Kilmarnock at McDiarmid Park after recovering from a shoulder injury.
The Irishman has been out since the 2-1 defeat at Aberdeen at the beginning of November.
But long-term injured trio Martin Hardie, Andy Jackson and Steven Milne are still out for Derek McInnes' side.
Kilmarnock midfielder Iain Flannigan is a doubt for the trip after picking up a knock.
But Simon Ford is close to a return as he continues building up his fitness following knee surgery.
Tim Clancy (elbow) and Alan Combe (hip) remain on the sidelines.
Sunday 6th December
12:45 Hamilton vs Hearts
Hamilton have no fresh injury concerns, with long-term casualties Derek Lyle and James Gibson the only absentees.
Hearts full-back Lee Wallace should feature after shaking off an ankle knock and defender Jose Goncalves returns from suspension.
Winger Suso Santana could feature after recovering from hernia surgery.
Jason Thomson is struggling with a hamstring problem, and Andrew Driver (knee), Marius Zaliukas (ankle) and Jamie Mole (ankle) are definitely out.
Saturday 5th December
12:30 Falkirk vs Rangers
Kjartan Finnbogason is back in the Falkirk squad to face Rangers in Saturday's SPL clash.
Finnbogason has recovered from a knee injury and will start on the bench in the lunchtime kick-off.
Pedro Pele will make his first Falkirk start but Eddie May is still awaiting international clearance for prospective signing Toufik Zerara.
Sean Lynch (hamstring), Mark Stewart (stomach), Jackie McNamara (knee), Burton O'Brien (hernia) and Tam Scobbie (pelvis) are still on the sidelines.
Maurice Edu and Kirk Broadfoot are edging closer to a return but the game at Falkirk comes too soon for the pair.
Both are back in full training after long-term injuries and are expected to be pushing for a first team return towards the end of the month.
Jerome Rothen remains in France recovering from swine flu, while Pedro Mendes is still out of action with a knee injury.
15:00 Celtic vs Aberdeen
League leaders Celtic will be looking to establish some consistency when they take on Aberdeen.
The Hoops may be top of the table, but they have played a game more than second-placed Rangers and have already slipped to two defeats.
The Dons will be hoping to make it three on Saturday, with Mark McGhee's side pushing hard to join those hot on the heels of the Old Firm.
Zheng Zhi is set to make his return to action for Celtic this weekend.
The China captain was ineligible for the Europa League win over Hapoel Tel Aviv on Wednesday night.
Number one goalkeeper Artur Boruc is fit again following his recovery from a knee injury and manager Tony Mowbray will decide whether to reinstate him at the expense of fellow Pole Lukasz Zaluska.
Aberdeen are hopeful defenders Andrew Considine and Jerel Ifil will be ready to return at Parkhead.
Both missed Saturday's 1-0 win over Rangers - Ifil after injuring himself in the warm-up - but they are expected to pass morning fitness checks.
Fraser Fyvie is back from an ankle injury but may only be on the bench, Gary McDonald returns from suspension, but Sone Aluko (stomach) and Zander Diamond are set to miss out again, the latter amid reports he was rushed to hospital with a heavy nosebleed days after breaking his nose in training.
15:00 Dundee Utd vs St Mirren
Dundee United will be without Danny Swanson and Prince Buaben as Steven Robb returns for St Mirren.
Swanson and Buaben were sent off at Motherwell last weekend so their absence gives David Robertson and youngster Ryan McCord a chance to stake a claim in Craig Levein's side.
Defender Garry Kenneth is fit again after a groin strain but will have to settle for a substitute role, as will striker Jon Daly, while Scott Robertson (groin), Lee Wilkie (knee) and Francisco Sandaza (groin) are long-term absentees.
Midfielder Robb has been out of action since September but has recovered from a groin injury and will be in the squad for the trip to Tannadice.
Andy Dorman is expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury, while Allan Johnston misses out after suffering a recurrence of a groin injury.
15:00 Hibernian vs Motherwell
Hibernian will be looking to keep pace with Rangers and Celtic when they entertain Motherwell.
Hibs currently sit third, level on points with the Gers and two behind the Hoops, and could go top this weekend if other results go their way.
Well will have aspirations of putting a serious dent in their rivals' bid to reach the summit, but their only defeat this season did come against John Hughes' side back in September.
Hibernian will make sure Graham Stack suffers no reaction in training following his back injury before making a decision on their goalkeeper.
Stack had to be substituted in last weekend's 2-0 win over Falkirk and manager Hughes will persist with understudy Yves Ma-Kalambay if the former Arsenal trainee is not 100% per cent fit.
Midfielder Kevin McBride is again rated 50-50 after being forced to sit out his first SPL game of the season on Saturday with an ankle injury, while Kevin McCann (hamstring) remains sidelined.
Steve Jennings will return to the Motherwell squad after missing the draw against Dundee United with an ankle injury.
Shaun Hutchinson (hamstring) and Chris Humphrey (ankle) remain on the sidelines while Marc Fitzpatrick and Darren Smith are continuing their rehabilitation programmes.
Paul Slane has suffered a minor niggle in his bid to return from two operations on his lower leg but Motherwell are confident he will be back over the festive period.
15:00 St Johnstone vs Kilmarnock
St Johnstone defender Graham Gartland is back in contention for the SPL clash with Kilmarnock at McDiarmid Park after recovering from a shoulder injury.
The Irishman has been out since the 2-1 defeat at Aberdeen at the beginning of November.
But long-term injured trio Martin Hardie, Andy Jackson and Steven Milne are still out for Derek McInnes' side.
Kilmarnock midfielder Iain Flannigan is a doubt for the trip after picking up a knock.
But Simon Ford is close to a return as he continues building up his fitness following knee surgery.
Tim Clancy (elbow) and Alan Combe (hip) remain on the sidelines.
Sunday 6th December
12:45 Hamilton vs Hearts
Hamilton have no fresh injury concerns, with long-term casualties Derek Lyle and James Gibson the only absentees.
Hearts full-back Lee Wallace should feature after shaking off an ankle knock and defender Jose Goncalves returns from suspension.
Winger Suso Santana could feature after recovering from hernia surgery.
Jason Thomson is struggling with a hamstring problem, and Andrew Driver (knee), Marius Zaliukas (ankle) and Jamie Mole (ankle) are definitely out.
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