IT is squeaky bum time for the teams at the bottom end of the table as a crucial run of fixtures begins this weekend.
As it stands, four teams sit within eight points of each another in the Ladbrokes Premiership standings, but the run-in leading up to the split could yet see that configuration change.
St Johnstone (37 points) beat Hamilton Academical on Tuesday to all but secure their safety, while Motherwell (36 points), although not quite out of the woods yet, will be confident that they have amassed enough of a cushion to avoid an awkward end to the campaign.
Here, we take a look at each of the bottom four clubs’ run-ins leading up the split as they jostle to get clear of the drop zone before those crucial final five weeks.
🏆 Ladbrokes Premiership table after a 1-0 win for @St_Johnstone_FC against @acciesfc tonight. pic.twitter.com/jV3ta8A6DK
— SPFL (@spfl) March 28, 2018
9. Hamilton Accies 30pts
Form – last five: LWWDL
31 March: Kilmarnock away
3 April: Hibernian away
8 April: Celtic home
14 April: Kilmarnock home
Martin Canning’s side have found their form at the right time and appear to be in a healthier position than their relegation rivals, having picking up seven points in their last four matches.
Accies are five points clear of the relegation play-off spot and eight adrift of bottom-placed Ross County, with a game in hand over all three clubs below them.
However, the four tests that await Hamilton before the league splits in two will provide a true test of their mettle. They must face Steve Clarke’s Killie twice as well as travelling to Easter Road and hosting Celtic.
10. Dundee 28pts
Form – last five: LWLLL
1 April: Hearts home
4 April: Celtic away
7 April: Rangers away
The last couple of months have not been fruitful for Neil McCann’s side, whose win away to Partick Thistle on 17 February gave them their only points in the last seven games.
Although the Dee currently hold a three-point lead over the Jags and are six clear of 12th-placed County, they face arguably the toughest run-in of the bottom four clubs leading up to the split.
The visit of Hearts this weekend appears to be the most likely source of points if any are to be gained, with a midweek trip to Celtic following. However, McCann will also be hoping to exploit the creaking home form of his former side Rangers when they visit Ibrox on the final day before the split.
11. Partick Thistle 25pts
Form – last five: LLLDL
31 March: Hibernian away
3 April: Ross County away
7 April: Kilmarnock home
The Jags have hit a poor run of form at the wrong time of the season, as Alan Archibald’s side continue to look for their first win since the end of January.
Their final three games aren’t kind either, with a trip to Easter Road and a meeting with high-flying Kilmarnock coming either side of a genuine six-pointer in Dingwall against rock-bottom County.
A win there would see Thistle open up a six-point gap over the Highlanders and vastly improve their chances of avoiding an automatic drop into the second tier, but Partick will have history against them having picked up just one win on the road all season.
12. Ross County 22pts
Form – last five: WDLLD
31 March: Celtic away
3 April: Partick Thistle home
7 April: Hibernian home
Stuart Kettlewell’s first senior managerial task is not an easy one as he looks to rally a County side sliding towards the Championship.
The Staggies youth boss was bumped up the hierarchy after Owen Coyle abandoned ship at the start of the month and he got off the mark with a draw against Accies before the international break.
The big games keep coming, with a daunting trip to Celtic Park on the agenda this weekend and on-form Hibernian travelling to Dingwall on the final day before the split, making next Tuesday’s clash with Thistle an absolute must-win.
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