Celtic are ramping up the pressure and Patrick Roberts makes a bit of room for himself inside the penalty box and the winger's low drive deflects clear off the knees of goalkeeper Connor Ripley.

Celtic forward Colin Karim-Richards is needing treatment after coming off worse in a lunging challenge with Stephen McManus.

Motherwell goalkeeper Connor Ripley does well to parry clear at the feet of Stefan Johansen after a clever through ball from Patrick Roberts.

Celtic win the first corner as Kieran Tierney's cross is deflected on to the roof of the net, but Well clear comfortably.

Celtic's first threat not surprisingly comes from Leigh Griffiths. The wee striker is allowed to rise above his marker at the back post to meet a fine, curling Mikael Lustig cross to the back post, but the Scotland striker's looping header lands on the roof of the net.

It is Motherwell with the first chance of the game as Marvin Johnson skips down the right wing and his low cross finds Chris Cadden. 

However, the young midfielder scuffs his shot despite having a clear view of goal from 15 yards.

We're off at Fir Park and Celtic are on the attack immediately and have set up with Colin Kazim-Richards in an old-fashioned inside-left position supporting Leigh Griffiths.

Later, St Johnstone will be aiming for the point away to second-bottom Kilmarnock to secure their top-six place, Ross County host Partick Thistle with both sides looking for a win that could secure their place in top half, while Dundee visit Hamilton Academical looking to protect their place in sixth. 

Third-bottom Accies, of course, are not yet out of relegation trouble and Dundee United will hope to narrow the five-point gap between themselves and Killie by beating an Inverness Caledonian Thistle side who need to win today and their game in hand on Tuesday against Hearts to retain faint hopes of making the top six.

The early kick-off is just as important to Mark McGhee's fourth-top Motherwell, who will secure their place in the top six of the Premiership with at least a draw, as it is for Celtic.

Motherwell's most well-known player, former Everton and Scotland forward James McFadden, has had time to have a shave now that he is sidelined with a broken ankle.

Image source, SNS

"We are happy that Hearts put us an even better position.

"It gives us a great chance today and we've got to take that chance.

"We have had a long run of winning matches and we want to keep that up.

"Motherwell have a very good and done well lately, so we have to do well to win today."

"I have told the players they should have no fear of big games like this.

"If we have no fear, we give ourselves a chance.

"We have people full of enthusiasm to play and players on form.

"Celtic are going to have to play well to beat us."

With Denmark international Erik Sviatchenko having already been ruled out for several weeks, Charlie Mulgrew comes into Celtic's central defence.

Winger Gary Mackay-Steven has picked up a knock and drops out the squad completely and his place is taken by Colin Kazim-Richards. 

Given the Turkey forward's contributions since joining Celtic, maybe he has been chosen simply because it is a like-for-like change. Well, he does have a double barreled surname!

Motherwell's starting line-up is unchanged after recording five straight wins, culminating in last week's 2-1 victory away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Motherwell: Ripley, Law, Kennedy, McManus, Hammell, Cadden, Lasley, Gomis, Johnson, McDonald, Moult. Subs: Ainsworth, Samson, Chalmers, Jack Leitch, Thomas, Watt, Hall. 

Celtic: Gordon, Lustig, Boyata, Mulgrew, Tierney, Brown, Bitton, Roberts, Johansen, Kazim-Richards, Griffiths. Subs: Izaguirre, Ambrose, Armstrong, Commons, Rogic, Fasan, McGregor. 

Referee: Willie Collum

Should Motherwell repeat their recent win over Aberdeen as the face the reigning champions, who they also defeated earlier in the season, the gap at the top would then be five points with five games remaining, which is surmountable in theory. 

Last night's defeat by Hearts was the latest in what seems like a string of wasted chances by the Dons to put pressure on a stuttering Celtic. 

Manager Derek McInnes is quick to point to a points total improved from last season as a sign of progress, but is it just me who is questioning their mettle after faltering on so many occasions when their big chances presented itself?

As the game goes on at Fir Park, where kick-off is less than half an hour away, will the perceptions of Derek McInnes, Ronny Deila and yourselves change about whether Aberdeen can still challenge for the title? 

Give us your thoughts on that, today's other games and anything else bothering you about Scottish football.

Tweet @BBCSportScot, text on 80295, or comment at the BBC Sport Scotland Facebook page.

Having lost last night at Tynecastle, Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has already conceded the title to leaders Celtic. 

It might be a bit of kidology. Will he change his mind if Ronny Deila's side also lose today away to Motherwell?