Saturday, March 17

Hearts (4) v Dundee Utd (10)

Hearts are boosted by the return of Jose Goncalves, Bruno Aguiar and Saulius Mikoliunas from injury. However, there are doubts over Lee Wallace, Calum Elliot and Takis Fyssas who have suffered knocks. Midfielder Layrea Kingston is suspended while Frenchman Julien Brellier is also banned.

Striker Collin Samuel could return for Dundee United after recovering from a virus. Defenders Lee Wilkie and Sean Dillon have recovered from minor groin strains, and top scorer Noel Hunt and teenage full-back Keith Watson are both available despite being ill at the start of the week. Craig Conway (foot) remains sidelined.

Last season: Dundee Utd 1 Hearts 1, Hearts 3 Dundee Utd 0, Dundee Utd 0 Hearts 3

Last five league matches: Hearts D W D W L; Dundee Utd D W D L D

Top scorers: Andrius Velicka (Hearts) 9; Barry Robson & Jon Daly (Dundee Utd) 9

Match odds: H 8-15 A 9-2 D 5-2

Referee: C MacKay (Scotland).

Inverness CT (7) v Dunfermline (12)

Inverness defender Grant Munro serves the second game of a two-match ban. Roy McBain (groin) and Dennis Wyness (dislocated shoulder) are both ruled out. Striker Craig Dargo is back in contention after recovering from his shoulder problems.

Dunfermline will hand midfielder Stephen Simmons a late fitness test as he is struggling with an ankle knock. Long-term absentees Scott Thomson, Greg Shields and Darren Young are all missing but should return before the end of the campaign.

Last season: Dunfermline 0 Inverness CT 1, Dunfermline 2 Inverness CT 2, Inverness CT 2 Dunfermline 1, Dunfermline 0 Inverness CT 1

Last five league matches: Inverness CT L L L W L; Dunfermline D L D L D

Top scorers: Markus Paatelainen (Inverness CT) 11; Stevie Crawford (Dunfermline) 8

Match odds: H 6-10 A 19-5 D 12-5

Referee: C Boyle (Scotland).

Rangers (2) v Aberdeen (3)

Captain Barry Ferguson returns to the Rangers line-up. He was suspended for the UEFA Cup defeat against Osasuna but comes back, and will replace Kevin Thomson who is ruled out with a heel injury. Top scorer Kris Boyd will start in attack, with Filip Sebo likely to be on the bench.

Defender Michael Hart is a doubt with a groin injury for Aberdeen, while Karim Touzani (groin) will also be absent. Midfielder Barry Nicholson (fractured shoulder blade) has been ruled out for six weeks.

Last season: Rangers 1 Aberdeen 1, Aberdeen 2 Rangers 0, Rangers 0 Aberdeen 0, Aberdeen 3 Rangers 2

Last five league matches: Rangers D W W W W; Aberdeen W L W W W

Top scorers: Kris Boyd (Rangers) 22; Darren Mackie (Aberdeen) 10

Match odds: H 8-15 A 9-2 D 5-2

Referee: M McCurry (Scotland).

Sunday, March 18

Falkirk (8) v Celtic (1)

Falkirk striker Alan Gow returns after thigh trouble, while defender Karl Dodd has been given the all-clear after a fractured cheekbone. Forward John Stewart is back in the frame after hamstring trouble, while Thomas Scobbie and Patrick Cregg are available again after suspensions - but Craig Ireland, Tiago Rodrigues and Graham Barrett remain absent with knee injuries. Defender Dean Holden is available after winning an appeal against his dismissal at Hibernian last weekend.

Paul Hartley returns from suspension for Celtic. Midfielder Thomas Gravesen (ankle) and striker Maciej Zurawski (calf) also returned to training this week and are available, but striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (ankle) and right-back Paul Telfer (groin) are doubtful.

Last season: Celtic 2 Falkirk 1, Falkirk 0 Celtic 3, Celtic 3 Falkirk 1

Last five league matches: Falkirk L L L L L; Celtic W W W W L

Top scorers: Alan Gow (Falkirk) 7; Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (Celtic) 14

Match odds: H 15-2 A 1-4 D 19-5

Referee: J Underhill (Scotland).