Celtic 2-0 Dundee United
United winger Glenn Middleton goes into the book after being judged to have cynically brought down Yang Hyun-jun during a blistering Celtic breakaway.
The resulting free-kick from Celtic midfielder Luke McCowan is held at the second attempt by Jack Walton.
Seb Palmer-Houlden
It's all kicking off at Dens.
There's a mazy run from Josh Mulligan down the right, then an inviting ball for half-time substitute Seb Palmer-Houlden, who ghosts between two defenders and side-foots home.
A crazy two minutes.
Topi Keskinen
Stunning!
Outrageous from the Finn. A beautiful flick creates some space on the turn, and from some 25 yards out, Topi Keskinen unleashes a vicious dipping drive that rifles into the top corner.
Pick. It. Out.
Celtic 2-0 Dundee United
Dundee United have came out for the second 45 with more intent to attack.
The ball has largely remained in Celtic's half in the first five minutes since the restart, with a promising free-kick delivery from Ross Docherty not made the most of by the visiting attack.
Kilmarnock 1-0 St Johnstone
I don't think Simo Valakari was happy at half-time. He's brought on Zach Mitchell and Taylor Steven in place of Sam Curtis and Barry Douglas.
That's them used three subs already.
Dundee 0-1 Aberdeen
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Dens Park
A change at the break for Dundee, with Scott Tiffoney being replaced up front by Seb Palmer-Houlden. Home boss Tony Docherty not hanging about as he tries to get his side back level.
Second halves are getting under way.
HT: Falkirk 1-2 Ayr United
How important might Liam Henderson's goal for Falkirk might be as the Bairns try to reel in Ayr United and stop Scott Brown's side going top of the Scottish Championship?
Image source, SNSHT: Raith Rovers 2-0 Partick Thistle
Finlay Pollock scored twice for Raith Rovers against Partick Thistle in the first half, this was his second.
Image source, SNSHT: Kilmarnock 1-0 St Johnstone
Gully Singh
BBC Sport Scotland at Rugby Park
St Johnstone have offered little to nothing, however manager Simo Valakari looked relaxed enough on the touchline with Kilmarnock counterpart Derek McInnes the more animated during that first half.
Kilmarnock came close to that vital second with Marley Watkins hitting the bar. The home support look pleased enough and surely expecting more of the same in the next 45 minutes.
Image source, SNSContrasting first halves for Derek McInnes and Simo Valakari
HT: Motherwell 0-1 Ross County
Calum Macdonald
BBC Scotland at Fir Park
A chorus of boos from the Motherwell fans as Iain Snedden blows the half-time whistle here at Fir Park. An understandable reaction given Ross County have continued to look the more likely even after going ahead.
Interim Well boss Stevie Frail told me before the game that we should expect news about a new Motherwell manager early next week, I wonder what the new boss, if he's watching, makes of this so far?
Image source, SNSMotherwell have work to do at Fir Park
HT: Dundee 0-1 Aberdeen
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Dens Park
Some muted boos from the home support, who're not happy they're behind but probably realise their team hasn't played too badly. Once again, however, they've not been able to take their chances.
Aberdeen, by contrast, are cheered off by their impressive large travelling support, who're delighted to be one ahead at the interval. It might even have been a more comfortable scoreline had Jeppe Okkels' effort not been well saved by Jon McCracken in the home goal.
Should be a fascinating second half as Aberdeen try to see this out for their first win in 15 in the league.
Image source, SNSAberdeen have their noses in front
After the first 20 minutes, it comes as a surprise that Kilmarnock are only leading by a goal at half-time.
They absolutely dominated the first quarter of this match, with Liam Polworth scoring the only goal as he chipped the ball over Andy Fisher.
That came after St Johnstone were caught on the ball, trying to play out from the back. Simo Valakari is married to this style of play, but it's not the first time the Saints have caused their own demise.
However, they started to threaten towards the end of the half through Makenzie Kirk. Signs of life yet.
Image source, SNSIt was a first half to celebrate for Kilmarnock but it's only 1-0
Leagues 1 & 2
Scottish Championship
Ronan Hale's strike just after the half-hour mark has the visitors ahead at the interval.
The Staggies had the better of the early stages before Motherwell grew into the game but failed to create many clear-cut chances.
County in truth have looked like the only side that were going to score so far, with six shots on target to Motherwell's zero.
Image source, SNSRonan Hale celebrates his opener
Aberdeen are on course for a long-awaited league win - their first in 15 attempts.
Kevin Nisbet's goal separates the sides, after Jon McCracken could only block Topi Keskinen's back-post effort with his knees.
Dundee have had the better of the first-half chances, with Simon Murray, Josh Mulligan and Jordan McGhee all passing up opportunities to score.
At the other end, Jeppe Okkels forced McCracken into a smart save as Aberdeen sought a second goal.
Finely poised at the break. And as things stand, Dundee dropping to 11th place.
Image source, SNSKevin Nisbet has scored on each of his visits to Dens Park this season
Excellent strikes from Callum McGregor and Jota have Celtic deservedly up by two at the break.
Dundee United held on for a while but Jim Goodwin must now work a miracle to get his side back in this match.
The hosts are unbeaten in 21 meetings versus United in all competitions, and that run looks likely to extend further to 22 games this afternoon.
Image source, SNSCallum McGregor opened the scoring with a lovely finish on 23 minutes
Kilmarnock 1-0 St Johnstone
Fraser Murray scurries down the left and chips an inviting cross in...
And Marley Watkins' header hits the bar! Inches away from a Killie second.
Celtic 2-0 Dundee United
Martin Dowden
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park
No Daizen Maeda. No Nicolas Khun. No matter.
Jota has taken a grip of this and is showing that, in this environment, he simply seems to thrive.
He may be playing his way into contention for a start in Munich on Tuesday.
United may need a rethink but the danger is if they try and come out, they are picked off.
Liam Polworth scored a deft opener for Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock delivered a "big performance" as they cruised to victory over St Johnstone to move into the Scottish Premiership top six for the first time this season.
The hosts also ended St Johnstone's run of three successive league wins to leave Simo Valakari's side six points adrift at the bottom.
St Johnstone came unstuck trying to play out from the back early on. Elliot Watt lost the ball on the edge of his area and Liam Polworth sent a dainty chip over goalkeeper Andy Fisher when one-on-one.
St Johnstone started to come back into the match towards the end of the first half, but found themselves two down shortly after the interval when Fraser Murray curled in a free-kick from 30 yards.
Four minutes later, Bobby Wales made it three when he plucked a long ball forward out of the sky with an exquisite first touch, before showing unbelievable composure to stroke the ball past Fisher.
Graham Carey netted a late consolation but the day belonged to Kilmarnock as they rose from 10th to sixth.
"That was the motivation for us all, if we could follow up an important victory against Dundee United here," McInnes told BBC Scotland.
"We knew we had our work cut out and had to deliver a big performance. We did exactly that. The intention was to stop St Johnstone enjoying the game.
"We scored some brilliant goals today, and it could have been more. The only negative was the fact we never kept the clean sheet."
The only surprise at half-time was that Kilmarnock weren't further in front. They completely dominated, camping St Johnstone in their own box.
They pressed high, making the visitors panic as they tried to play through the lines, and it resulted in their first goal. They were also unlucky not to score when Marley Watkins hit the bar with a header.
Although Kilmarnock have won every home game in which they've scored first this season (five), there was a slight nervousness when they didn't fully capitalise on their first-half display.
However, the second put them out of sight and it was a well-deserved goal from Murray. The winger has become Kilmarnock's most valuable player in the absence of Matty Kennedy, with Danny Armstrong out of sorts.
He was a constant threat on the left, twisting and turning away from Drey Wright time and again and putting the ball into dangerous areas, creating for his team-mates. It really has been a coming-of-age season for the 25-year-old.
Wales was the other standout. It may have only been his third league goal of the season, but the teenager plays beyond his years and there will be no shortage of suitors when his contract expires in the summer.
A few weeks ago St Johnstone scraped a victory against St Mirren when the Buddies proved profligate in front of goal. Valakari's side lived dangerously again here - and this time paid the price.
The style the Finnish manager has tried to install is admirable and, when it works, eye catching. When it doesn't, it leaves them exposed and vulnerable.
The visitors lost the ball a few times early on and, after conceding, their confidence looked rocked. They did eventually build a few chances, but Makenzie Kirk was isolated up top.
This was the performance of relegation candidates. Much improvement is needed if they are to make up the gap and beat the odds.
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: "We had some strong performances but Murray was a constant threat for us.
"His delivery, his energy, his willingness to work back, but his quality is what you always look for and it was terrific. His goal is top class."
St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari: "There are so many games left. We can't lose and waste these opportunities. Today we did, we can't cry about it.
"We have big belief, big workrate, and through this work rate we improve our performances. It takes us where it takes us.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26 | 22 | 3 | 1 | 76 | 12 | 64 | 69 |
| |
| 2 | 25 | 16 | 5 | 4 | 51 | 19 | 32 | 53 |
| |
| 3 | 26 | 11 | 5 | 10 | 34 | 39 | -5 | 38 |
| |
| 4 | 26 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 32 | 31 | 1 | 37 |
| |
| 5 | 25 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 37 | 37 | 0 | 33 |
| |
| 6 | 26 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 31 | 41 | -10 | 31 |
| |
| 7 | 26 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 30 | 45 | -15 | 31 |
| |
| 8 | 25 | 8 | 6 | 11 | 34 | 33 | 1 | 30 |
| |
| 9 | 25 | 9 | 3 | 13 | 30 | 39 | -9 | 30 |
| |
| 10 | 26 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 27 | 47 | -20 | 29 |
| |
| 11 | 26 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 38 | 55 | -17 | 27 |
| |
| 12 | 26 | 6 | 3 | 17 | 29 | 51 | -22 | 21 |
|
Manager: Derek McInnes
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Simo Valakari
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
Manager: Derek McInnes
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Simo Valakari
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
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Kilmarnock have only enjoyed three wins in their last 14 league meetings with St. Johnstone (D2 L9), losing both previous such clashes in 2024-25 without scoring.
St. Johnstone have won and kept a clean sheet in both of their previous two league games against Kilmarnock in 2024-25; the last side they beat three times in a single Scottish Premiership season were Dundee United in 2022-23, while not since 2018-19 have they recorded three clean sheets against a single opponent in the competition (4 v Dundee, 3 v St. Mirren).
After their 1-0 win over Dundee United, Kilmarnock are looking to earn back-to-back league victories for only the second time this season, last doing so in October.
St. Johnstone have won both of their last two league matches, last winning more in a row in November 2022 (3).
Each of St. Johnstone’s last four goals in the Scottish Premiership have been scored from corner situations (the last two scored by defender Bozo Mikulic). Since Opta have this data available (from 2013-14), they are only the second side to have such a run in the competition, after Hearts earlier this season who netted four in a row via corners between September and October.
