SATURDAY 2 DECEMBER

Celtic v Motherwell

Celtic Park, 3pm

The two sides meet for the third time in less than a week on Saturday on the back of two controversy-filled clashes. Motherwell were enraged by referee Craig Thomson’s decision to award a penalty to Celtic and send off defender Cedric Kipre in last weekend’s 2-0 Betfred Cup final defeat, before Willie Collum pointed to the spot in the final minutes of their league meeting on Wednesday to deny ‘Well a famous win as Scott Sinclair equalised to make it 1-1.

The last-gasp spot kick stretched the Hoops’ unbeaten domestic run to 66 games but ‘Well can take encouragement from being only the fourth team this season to take points off Brendan Rodgers’ side on league duty.

League form guide: Celtic WDWWD Motherwell WLLWD

Read more: Celtic captain Scott Brown blasts hypocrisy of Motherwell

Hearts v Hamilton Academical

Tynecastle, 3pm

Only one point separates the two sides going into this clash in Edinburgh and the Jambos support are still waiting to witness their first win at the new Tynecastle Park. In fact, they have been waiting for more than a month, five games, for a win anywhere and Accies will feel confident of extending that run after going unbeaten in their last five matches.

The most recent three have been particularly impressive, holding Hibs and Aberdeen at home and beating Rangers away for the first time since 1926. The winner of this meeting has the further incentive of leapfrogging St Johnstone into the top six if Tommy Wright’s side falter against Kilmarnock.

League form guide: Hearts LLLDD Hamilton DWDWD

Partick Thistle v Hibernian

Firhill, 3pm

Hibs’ charge up the table has relented recently after a defeat at home to St Johnstone and draw away to Hamilton Accies saw them slip to fourth place. Neil Lennon’s side has the ideal opportunity to get back on track at Easter Road against rock-bottom Thistle, but the Jags have enjoyed a mini-revival recently with two wins and two draws in their last five matches.

Alan Archibald’s side may be bottom of the pile, but a victory in their game in hand would lift them above Kilmarnock and Dundee. One slight issue - that fixture is against Celtic.

League form guide: Partick Thistle WDWLD Hibernian WWWLD

Read more: Partick Thistle's Ryan Edwards reckons former Australia boss Ange Postecoglou could be the man for Rangers

Ross County v Dundee

Victoria Park, 3pm

Ross County are yet to really get going under Owen Coyle, but a spirited draw against Hearts, narrow defeat to Celtic and victory over Motherwell in their last three games have given the Highlanders a platform to build on ahead of this crucial clash in Dingwall.

A black cloud was hanging over Dens Park until a superb win against Rangers last Friday lifted them off the bottom of the table, and Neil McCann’s side can now draw level with the Staggies with a win on Saturday.

League form guide: Ross County DLWLD Dundee LLLDW

St Johnstone v Kilmarnock

McDiarmid Park, 3pm

A much-needed and somewhat surprising win at Easter Road last weekend ended a six-match winless run for Saints that had some questioning whether this would be the year they finally drop out of the top six. Tommy Wright’s side remain there for now though, and can strengthen that position with a win over Steve Clarke’s Killie side.

The former West Brom and Aston Villa boss has recorded just one win since taking over in October but will be encouraged by his side’s away form as they are unbeaten since 9 September on their travels, a run of six matches that has included trips to Celtic and Rangers.

League form guide: St Johnstone LDLLW Kilmarnock DLWDL

SUNDAY 3 DECEMBER

Aberdeen v Rangers

Pittodrie, 12.30pm, Sky Sports Football

Graeme Murty described Wednesday night’s 3-0 win over Aberdeen at Ibrox as the benchmark performance for Rangers and his side will be looking to prove it wasn’t a one-off when they travel to Pittodrie for this weekend’s televised game.

Read more: Dave King: Ibrox board will back next Rangers boss in the transfer market​

A further incentive for the Gers is that they will leapfrog the Dons into second place with a win. The form of Derek McInnes’ side has been patchy of late, with just two wins in their last six games, and three points are a must if they are to cling on to Celtic’s coat-tails with the champions already four points clear with a game in hand.

League form guide: Aberdeen WDLWL Rangers WWLLW