Scottish Premiership predictions - Week 18

Published 2 days ago

Jimmy Thelin has seen his Aberdeen side go five games without a win after a strong start to the season.

- Celtic lead the way by nine points in the Scottish Premiership
- Aberdeen are without a win in their last five game
- Hearts prop up the table after one win in five matches

Celtic look to be out of sight already in Scotland’s top tier heading into gameweek 18, having won 14 of their 15 league games so far.

Aberdeen have a chance to split the two Glasgow sides as they currently hold second place, but the Dons have hit a rough patch ahead of this latest round of games.

There are six games to come in the Premiership, starting with a Friday night clash at Fir Park and we have got a prediction for each fixture.

Motherwell vs Kilmarnock (Friday, 7.45pm)

Motherwell are enjoying a strong season as they sit fourth in the standings, six points clear of Dundee in seventh, ahead of the visit of Kilmarnock on Friday.

The Steelmen have been an all-or-nothing side this season as Stuart Kettlewell’s men have just one draw in their 16 games.

Well should have too much for a Killie side who have lost six of their 10 trips, but clean sheets have been an issue for the hosts and the visitors can at least strike in defeat.

Score prediction: Motherwell 2-1 Kilmarnock

Aberdeen vs Hibernian (Saturday, 3pm)

Aberdeen sit second in the standings, but a five-game winless run means they are only two points clear of Rangers in third spot.

The majority of the Dons’ issues have come away, however, so the visit of poor travellers Hibs looks a perfect chance for them to get back to winning ways.

These two sides played out an entertaining 3-3 draw in a reverse fixture in November, so Hibs can play their part, but expect home advantage to prove the difference.

Score prediction: Aberdeen 4-2 Hibernian

Rangers vs Dundee (Saturday, 3pm)

Rangers suffered League Cupfinal heartache as they lost on penalties to bitter rivals Celtic in their last outing and they may take out their frustrations on Dundee.

The Gers have managed three clean sheets in a row in the league and may shut out Dundee while scoring a few themselves.

Score prediction: Rangers 4-0 Dundee

Philippe Clement will want to see Rangers react positively to a League Cup final defeat to Celtic.

Ross County vs St Mirren (Saturday, 3pm)

It has been a difficult season for Ross County with eight defeats in 17 games, but they have been fairly solid at home.

Only Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen have managed to win as visiting sides at Victoria Park this season and St Mirren’s away form has been fairly poor with just seven points to show from eight trips.

These two teams played out a 0-0 draw the last time they met and another stalemate is fancied.

Score prediction: Ross County 1-1 St Mirren

Dundee United vs Celtic (Sunday, 12pm)

Celtic are sauntering towards the title and they head to Dundee United on Sunday on the back of lifting the League Cup.

The Glasgow giants have won their last seven Premiership games and have conceded just once during that run, so a routine victory for the visitors at Tannadice looks likely.

Score prediction: Dundee United 0-3 Celtic

Hearts vs St Johnstone (Sunday, 3pm)

Hearts sit rock bottom of the table and are in woeful form, but the visit of the side immediately above them in the standings, St Johnstone, may offer some respite.

The Jambos have a strong recent record against the Saints and have won each of the last five meetings. Hearts won 2-1 in a reverse fixture at the start of last month and can repeat that result at Tynecastle on Sunday.

Score prediction: Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone