Saturday's Scottish Premiership predictions including Celtic vs. Ross County

St Mirren vs. Rangers (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Title challengers Rangers travel to Paisley to face a faltering St Mirren side in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday lunchtime.

Philippe Clement's side did what they had to do on their return to league action in midweek, closing the gap on Celtic to five points.

We say: St Mirren 0-3 Rangers

Being given the opportunity to play in the early kick-off slot and put the pressure on Celtic, who do not play until 3pm, Rangers will expect a comfortable victory against a struggling St Mirren side.

The hosts were comfortably beaten here by Celtic in their last Premiership outing and have now failed to score in three straight home league games, and a repeat could be in store.

Celtic vs. Ross County (Saturday, 3.00pm)

League leaders Celtic return to Scottish Premiership action on Saturday when they welcome Ross County to Parkhead.

Brendan Rodgers's side had to sit back and watch Rangers close the gap to five points at the top on Wednesday, but they will feel confident of maintaining that lead against out-of-form opponents.

We say: Celtic 4-0 Ross County

There is little doubt that Celtic will record a straightforward win here over a struggling side near the bottom of the table to keep their lead at five points over Rangers.

This will be Ross County's second trip to Celtic Park in the league this season after losing 4-2 already to the champions, and little suggests that there will be a change in fortunes here.

Hearts vs. Aberdeen (Saturday, 3.00pm)

In-form Hearts welcome Aberdeen to Tynecastle on Saturday as they look to keep up the momentum that has lifted them into third.

Steven Naismith's side are a long way clear of the sides below them, with a place in the Championship Group, and subsequent European qualification, looking likely.

We say: Hearts 2-1 Aberdeen

Naismith will see the upcoming games as a perfect opportunity to extend their gap over fourth even further, with no meetings against the Old Firm for another month.

Aberdeen have shown promising signs themselves of late, but they may find it difficult against the most in-form team in the Scottish Premiership here.

Kilmarnock vs. Hibernian (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Two sides under pressure to maintain their places in the top six of the Scottish Premiership meet at Rugby Park on Saturday, when Kilmarnock host Hibernian.

With Aberdeen and Dundee applying pressure in seventh and eighth, these two sides must ensure to pick up consistent results, with the two below them both having multiple games in hand.

We say: Kilmarnock 2-0 Hibernian

Kilmarnock's superb home form makes them favourites for this clash, and they should continue their push for Europe with another win.

Hibs have some key players absent at present and made a disappointing return to action at home in the week, so could find it difficult again.

Livingston vs. Dundee (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Livingston will be aiming to end their winless streak of 13 league matches when they host Dundee in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.

The visitors, meanwhile, threw away a two-goal lead to fall to a 3-2 defeat to Hearts on Tuesday evening.

We say: Livingston 2-1 Dundee

Livingston will not get many better opportunities to end their lengthy winless streak than a home fixture against a promoted team, especially having benefitted from a full week's rest, which is in contrast to Dundee after their devastating defeat to Hearts on Tuesday.

We can envisage another tight encounter for the visitors, but Livingston have shown some signs of improvements in recent fixtures, and we think that they may finally put all three points on the board.

St Johnstone vs. Motherwell (Saturday, 3.00pm)

St Johnstone will be aiming to climb above Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership table by beating them on Saturday.

The visitors are one point ahead of their opponents prior to the meeting at McDiarmid Park, with Ross County a further point back inside the relegation zone.

We say: St Johnstone 1-1 Motherwell

There is little to split these two sides, who have suffered a slight downturn in results across the past 18 months. St Johnstone were spirited when claiming a draw against Aberdeen in midweek, while Motherwell have slightly improved of late.

As such, with Ross County unlikely to gain anything away to Celtic in a simultaneous fixture, both sides may settle for moving one point clear of their relegation rivals by sharing the spoils.