-  Celtic have not lost back-to-back Premiership games in 15 months
-  Kilmarnock are unbeaten in 11 against St Mirren
-  Bottom club St Johnstone have lost just two in 10 in all competitions

The Scottish Premiership returns after the international break with five Saturday fixtures before Ross County take on Dundee United on Sunday.

Aberdeen vs Motherwell (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Aberdeen need a win to guarantee being in the top six come next month's split, but Motherwell will be a tough challenge at a sold-out Pittodrie.

The Steelmen went into the break coming from two down to draw 2-2 with St Mirren, a gutsy effort on the back of a pair of 2-1 wins over Dundee and Rangers.

Michael Wimmer has got a tune out of the 'Well while Aberdeen's dour 0-0 draw at St Johnstone last time shows how inconsistent they can be.

Score prediction: Aberdeen 1-1 Motherwell

Celtic vs Hearts (Saturday, 3.00pm)

It was December 2023 when Celtic last lost two in a row in the league but a repeat of their performance in the 3-2 Old Firm defeat two weeks ago could see it happen again.

Hearts are buoyant under Neil Critchley as they bust a gut to make the top six, with only two defeats since Boxing Day.

If complacency is not an issue at Parkhead then Celtic should return to winning ways but it could be another tense afternoon for Brendan Rodgers and his side are taken to win a high-scoring showdown with the Jambos. 

Score prediction: Celtic 4-3 Hearts

Hibernian vs St Johnstone (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Hibernian are in fine form, with Celtic the only team to have beaten them since the end of November.

This would look a fine chance for them to win at Easter Road except that St Johnstone have also come to life with 11 points taken from their last seven games as they endeavour to beat the drop.

However, they have not beaten a top-six side all season so Hibs can put them in their place in Leith. 

Score prediction: Hibernian 2-0 St Johnstone

St Mirren vs Kilmarnock (Saturday, 3.00pm)

St Mirren have shipped 10 goals in three games since stunning Rangers so will be encouraged by the fact that Kilmarnock are terrible travellers. Killie have lost their last five on the road and have not won away since October.

The visitors, though, will be equally chuffed that St Mirren are missing their two top scorers, Mikael Mandron, who is injured, and Toyosi Olusanya, who is suspended, so this could be a damp squib. 

Score prediction: St Mirren 0-0 Kilmarnock

Dundee vs Rangers (Saturday, 5.30pm)

Rangers' 3-2 win at Celtic has given the Ibrox giants a real boost ahead of a run-in which includes a Europa League quarter-final date with Athletic Bilbao.

They have now won five successive away matches, from Kilmarnock to Fenerbahce, and the feel good factor under Barry Ferguson can extend to victory at Dens Park.

Dundee snapped a seven-game league winless run by winning the city derby against United 4-2 but have not kept a clean sheet in the Premiership since October.

Score prediction: Dundee 1-3 Rangers

Ross County vs Dundee Utd (Sunday, 2.30pm)

Ross County have won three of their last five, including each of their last two at home.

Dundee United, reeling from losing to their city rivals before the break, have lost six of their last eight. They need to stop the bleeding and a visit to the division's lowest scorers can see them snaffle a point.

Score prediction: Ross County 1-1 Dundee United