THE wait is over and one of the most highly anticipated post-split run-ins in years is about to get underway.

A compelling weekend of top-flight football awaits, with the league title on the line as well as a tight tussle for European spots and several teams fighting for their lives at the bottom of the pile.

Here are the main talking points for the weekend’s fixtures.

Can Celtic claim the title?

Brendan Rodgers was denied his wish of getting the chance to reclaim the Premiership title against rivals Rangers when the fixtures were published, but their trip to Easter Road on Saturday lunchtime is by no means a guaranteed three points.

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Victory for Celtic will ensure that the league trophy heads to Parkhead for the seventh season in a row, but anything less will ensure that the following weekend’s clash with Rangers is a title decider.

The Bhoys are no strangers to Neil Lennon and his side will not be lacking in motivation as they look to squeeze past Rangers and Aberdeen into the top three and the guaranteed European spot that comes with it.Glasgow Times:

The Hibees currently lie three points behind both of those sides in fourth place but go into this clash on the back of a nine-match unbeaten run and have caused the Hoops some problems already this season, with two draws in their first two league games against Rodgers’ side before suffering a 1-0 defeat in Glasgow back in January.

Who will finish the weekend in the top three?

The race for second place is too close to call, with Rangers, Aberdeen and Hibs fighting tooth and nail for the runners-up spot as Kilmarnock creep up in the rear-view mirror.

As it stands, the Gers lead the Dons on goal difference with Hibs three points behind and Killie seven points adrift.

Steve Clarke’s side host Aberdeen in what appears to be a must-win game for the Rugby Park outfit to keep their European hopes alive, while Derek McInnes is under pressure to deliver a result after their meek Scottish Cup semi-final exit to Motherwell last weekend.

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Another team that will be feeling the pressure this weekend is Rangers, who must deliver three points against Hearts at Ibrox after a tumultuous week in which they suffered Scottish Cup humiliation against Celtic before suspending experienced pair Lee Wallace and Kenny Miller following a bust-up.

Glasgow Times:

It is a big weekend for Hibs’ hopes too, as defeat to Celtic and wins for Rangers and Aberdeen would see Lennon’s side fall six points behind the top three, while a win could propel them above Aberdeen if the Dons are beaten.

Who will finish the weekend bottom?

The battle in the bottom six promises to be every bit as nail-biting as the contests at the top of the table, with four teams still at risk of the drop.

There have been shoots of recovery of late at Ross County, as four points in their last two games has lifted them off the foot of the table and into the play-off place. The Staggies will need to take advantage of their two remaining home games if they are to get out of trouble, and in Dingwall they face a Motherwell side buoyant from reaching the Scottish Cup final.

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Three points for the Staggies would not be enough to steer them out of trouble but could narrow the gap to Dundee and Hamilton to just one point if the Dens Park side fall to defeat in the Tayside derby against St Johnstone and Accies lose to Partick Thistle.

Glasgow Times:

The Jags’ meeting with Hamilton is a face-off between the two sides with the worst form in the league, having garnered just one point between them in their last five matches.

Alan Archibald’s side have been on a dismal run, failing to win a game since January, but they are still within touching distance of safety and a victory could be enough to take them off the bottom and within two points of salvation.