With Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard sidelined through injury and Leigh Griffiths unavailable, the potential return of Ryan Christie will bolster Brendan Rodgers' attacking options.

Christie was stretchered off during the Europa League defeat by Salzburg, sparking concerns of a spell on the sidelines for the in-form attacker.

Image source, SNS

However, Rodgers said Christie was back in training and straining at the leash to play. Christie is named on the bench for the visit of Dundee.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Scotland at Pittodrie

At the end of October, Hearts beat Aberdeen at Tynecastle to move three points clear at the top of table – and go 10 points clear of their visitors.

Fast forward to now and the tables have well and truly turned.

The fourth place Dons currently boast a three-point lead over the capital club going in to the Pittodrie edition of the encounter.

Image source, SNS

Despite their contrasting fortunes in recent times, both teams are within striking distance of the Premiership summit.

Aberdeen are aiming to make it four wins on the spin – while Hearts boss Craig Levein will be hoping his side can bounce back from a 5-0 thumping at the hands of Livingston last time out.

Celtic: Bain, Ralston, Simunovic, Benkovic, Izaguirre, McGregor, Rogic, Ntcham, Forrest, Sinclair, Johnston.

Substitutes: Gordon, Brown, Gamboa, Hayes, Morgan, Christie, Ajer.

Dundee: Hamilton, Kerr, Ralph, Woods, Kamara, Nabi, Inniss, McGowan, Kallman, Boyle, Curran.

Substitutes: Parish, Mendy, Miller, Spence, Moore, Lambert, Bradbury.

Aberdeen: Lewis, Logan, Considine, McKenna, Lowe, Ferguson, Shinnie, McLennan, McGinn, May, Cosgrove

Substitutes: Cerny, Forrester, Gleeson, Wilson, Wright, Campbell, Anderson.

Hearts: Doyle, M.Smith, Haring, Berra, Bozanic, Lee, Clare, Mitchell, Naismith, MacLean, Godinho

Substitutes: Zlamal, Hughes, Mulraney, McDonald, Brandon, Morrison, C Smith.

Hearts manager Craig Levein was eager to bring some festive cheer to his pre-match media conference.

Q: "How far away is Uche?"

Levein: "Em, 75 yards."

Q: "How far away is he from returning to first-team action then?"

Levein [laughing]: "Apologies, I'm in one of those moods this morning."

Little chance of the Hearts manager being accused of Grinch-like tendencies on this type of form...

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The festive season is upon us but is your favourite team in fine fettle?

If you could buy one shiny new present for your squad, which player would it be?

Tweet your suggestions using #bbcsportscot or visit our Facebook page and we'll include the best comments.

We have a Premiership title race worthy of the name.

Six points separate the top five clubs in the table as we approach the festive blizzard of games.

Who will be Christmas number one?

We'll soon find out...

Image source, BBC Sport