It's all Hibs at Tynecastle. Drey Wright has another shot deflected wide then Hearts defender Craig Halkett has to knock the ball out as Elias Melkerson bursts into the box.

A cagey start at Tannadice, where kick-off was delayed due to some smoke bombs on the pitch, with both sides taking their time to size up their city rivals.

The home side have started to find some more sustained possession, but no real chances yet.

Celtic are doing most of the early pressing, but St Johnstone escape up the park and Melker Hallberg is in good space for a shot.

But the former Hibs midfielder swipes it well wide from 25 yards.

John Collins
Former Hibs manager on Sportsound

Whistles are going around the country - 90 minutes and we might know who makes the top six of the Premiership.

The excitement is building across the country...almost at kick-off in the April sunshine.

Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin tells BBC Sportsound: "It's the biggest game of our season. If we win and results go in our favour then we'll get top six, which is where this club should be.

"We won't get overexcited if it does happen. A club of this size shouldn't be in this situation. We've got to take care of business here and hope things go our way at Tynecastle.

"Let's make sure we're professional, we're disciplined, we're organised. I'm relatively pleased with the performances in the last few games."

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Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Celtic Park

What an incentive for Celtic this afternoon. A win today creates a nine-point differential with all the pressure on Rangers tomorrow to cling onto their coat tails. Not to mention the opportunity to enhance their vastly superior goal difference if they hit the ground running once again.

Just to add even more positivity, Kyoto Furuhashi returns to the bench after his injury lay off to the delight of the home support.

St Johnstone will have other ideas about what will transpire out there and come into this in some decent form with signs of the confidence of last season starting to emerge at a very good time. They’ll likely need every ounce of it.

Dundee manager Mark McGhee tells BBC Scotland: “Very excited. As a player, I loved coming here. Particularly in my Aberdeen days, these were the hardest games we used to get.

“We’re expecting a difficult day today, but we’re well prepared, mentally too. We just need a bit more improvement to get us a result.

“Anything that’s good at all in the team, Charlie Adam is at the heart of most of it. So to have him out and playing from the start is a huge bonus for us.

“It’s a long time since Dundee have won here, so the challenge today is massive. We’ve gone into every game thinking we can win - regardless of how it’s unfolded - today is no different. Today is an opportunity."

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Hibernian manager Shaun Maloney tells BBC Scotland that his backroom team will be keeping an aye on results elsewhere as Hibs try to make the top six.

"It can alter decisions, of course, and what is needed to make the top six," he says. "We're prepared for what might need to happen.

"I've been involved in many big games over the last 20 games or so and this are what we work for.

"We need to beat Hearts in terms of fight and physicality, but we're also going to have to play."

Motherwell striker Kevin van Veen has either scored (one) or assisted (two) a goal in each of his last three league games.

The Dutchman last registered a goal involvement in four straight league appearances in December 2019 for former club Scunthorpe United.

He also scored both Motherwell goals the last time these two sides met - a 2-1 victory for Graham Alexander's side on Boxing Day.

With 17 goal involvements (10 goals and 17 assists) in 35 appearances, it's more than a decent first season in Scottish football.

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Although Motherwell have only won once in seven outings, that came last time out at home to St Mirren and they start the day in fifth spot.

But their place in the top six is made more precarious by a goal difference worse than all the teams with a chance of overtaking them bar St Mirren.

A draw against hosts who have lost three games in a row would be enough to secure their place, but lose and Livingston will go above them as a result, as might two of the other three teams below.

Will Livingston be the ones to overcome the form book and win? Thumbs up for yes, thumbs down for a Motherwell win.

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It is an illustration of how none of the mid-table teams have been able to put a top-six securing run together that Aberdeen are still in with a chance despite Jim Goodwin's side having won just once in 12 outings.

His former side, St Mirren, have won one in eight, Dundee United and Motherwell once in seven, Hibs once in six, while Livingston have lost three in succession.

County are the exception to the rule, having lost just once in five games, but Malky Mackay's side need to improve on this season's two 1-1 draws with the Dons if they are to complete a late run from relegation candidates to contenders for European football.

The fate of the winners at Pittodrie does not lie totally in their own hands, but a win will secure a top-half finish as long as Hibs don't beat Hearts.

Thumbs up if you think Aberdeen will win, thumbs down for County.

Hibs travel across Edinburgh to face their city rivals realising that a draw at the very least is likely to be needed to retain their place in the top six.

Losing out - and at the hands of their city rivals - would not go down well at Easter Road, especially given it is a dress-rehearsal for their Scottish Cup semi-final.

Robbie Neilson's hosts are currently cruising in third spot, are on a six-game unbeaten run and will be confident of improving on two 0-0 derby draws this season.

The pressure is all on the visitors and their manager. Will Hibs pull through and win? Thumbs up for yes, thumbs down for no.

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has insisted there have been no premature title celebrations following last week's Old Firm derby win.

But it give them an ideal chance to stretch their lead over Rangers to nine points before the reigning champions play tomorrow considering they entertain second-bottom St Johnstone.

Callum Davidson's side head for Celtic Park seeking for a third consecutive win as they look to continue their late relegation rescue act, but they face hosts who themselves are unbeaten in 32 domestic fixtures and have not lost to another Scottish side at home since January 2021.

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