Brian McLauchlin
BBC Scotland at Tynecastle

Both Steven Naismith and Derek McInnes have acknowledged the importance of this game in terms of securing third place come the end of the season.

But the way the teams look to be setting up with 4-4-2 formations should mean this is an open match with the emphasis surely on wingers to play a big part in the 90 minutes.

There is another huge crowd inside Tynecastle with the vast majority supporting the home side, but it looks as if a strong contingent has made their way to the capital from Ayrshire.

Should be fun!

McDiarmid Park hosts a derby in which both sides will be looking nervously behind them.

St Johnstone are just one point ahead of improving second-bottom Ross County having gone five home games without a win.

Although they arrive eight points clear of their hosts, Dundee will want to arrest the seven-game streak without a win on the road, losing their latest three.

However, Tony Docherty's side beat Aberdeen last time out to revive hopes of a return to the top six and, although they have not won in six visits to Perth since a 2-0 win December 2017, Dundee are five without defeat overall against Saints.

Given Hibs have gone six away games without defeat while Rangers have lost their latest two at Ibrox - 2-1 to Motherwell and then 1-0 to Benfica last time out in the Europa League - you would expect the Edinburgh side to arrive tasting a possible upset as they look to consolidate sixth place.

However, Philippe Clement's side will remain favourites to return to the top of the table given their league position and record against Hibs.

Rangers won 2-0 at Easter Road earlier this month and have won all three meetings this season by a 9-0 aggregate - and the last six by 19-4 - and are without defeat in their latest nine meetings overall.

Indeed, Hibs have lost nine in a row at Ibrox and have not won in 10 since a 2-1 victory in February 2018.

A must-win game for Motherwell if they are to retain outside hopes of a top-six finish, but Stuart Kettlewell's side have been beaten in their latest two at Fir Park and have lost the joint-most home games in the Premiership this season.

Conceding the competition's most home goals hasn't helped, although one was enough for St Mirren to claim victory there on their last visit in September in one of two early season wins for the Paisley side against today's hosts.

The sides drew 0-0 in the latest meeting, in Paisley in December, and while fifth-top St Mirren are pretty safe in the top six, they have gone three on the road without a win after that bruising 5-2 thumping in Kilmarnock last time out.

Third-top host fourth in one of the games of the day, but the 11-point gap between the sides means Hearts aren't exactly looking over their shoulders as they look to extend their seven-game unbeaten home run.

Points are more vital for Kilmarnock as they look to stay ahead of St Mirren and build on that fantastic 5-2 thumping of the Buddies last time out.

Derek McInnes' side drew 0-0 on their last visit to Tynecastle in August, but they have since lost twice at home to Hearts and are also now without a win in five away games, albeit three of those were draws.

It's squeaky bum time for Aberdeen as County, who sit in the relegation play-off spot, arrive looking to close the three-point gap between the sides.

The Dons are still searching for a manager despite saying they wanted to appoint during the international break.

But they won last time out in Motherwell - and their last home game, in the Scottish Cup against Kilmarnock. Indeed, they got the better of County in all three meetings this season, including the latest by 3-0 in Dingwall in January - an aggregate of 9-1.

However, this is a different County under Don Cowie and, after 11 without a win, they have only lost one of their latest five games.

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Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes explains David Watson's absence from the starting XI: "He did a great job for us as an auxiliary right-back. Today, I think Hearts will stretch the full-back out, so we thought maybe we need more of a natural defender.

"Bringing Lewis Mayo back feels right. We're at Tynecastle for a tough game against a good team."

On the potential to catch Hearts in third, he adds: "I'm not even thinking about that. There's other teams who should be challenging Hearts for third. They're in a good position, it would need to be collapse from them and for us to go on an unbelievable run of form.

"It's just about getting the result that secures us top six. We probably need one more point. We've got the opportunity to do that today."

Hearts head coach Steven Naismith tells BBC Scotland that Macauly Tait is "one for now, not the future" as the 18-year-old midfielder makes his first league start this afternoon.

“He’s someone I’ve worked closely with for the last two and a bit years and he’s progressed well," he says. "He’s had to wait along time for his debut.

“He’s been waiting patiently in the background and continued to learn and progress and when we’ve needed him we’ve put him on the pitch and he’s done really well for us in the games he’s been involved in.

“He’s had to work hard. He’s one for now, not for the future."

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For a second week running, and following an eight-game unbeaten run, Falkirk have the chance to clinch the title and promotion.

This time, as they visit Montrose, they only need to match second-top Hamilton Academical's result at home to third-bottom Queen of the South.

Third-top Alloa Athletic start the day a point ahead of Montrose as they host second-bottom Annan Athletic.

Fifth-placed Cove Rangers host a Stirling Albion side involved in a battle to avoid the relegation play-off along with Annan, Queens and Kelty Hearts, who host an Edinburgh City side already relegated after 17 games without a win.

• Alloa Athletic v Annan Athletic
• Cove Rangers v. Stirling Albion
• Hamilton Academical v Queen of the South
• Kelty Hearts v Edinburgh City
• Montrose v Falkirk (17:30)

Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell tells BBC Scotland: "We went as close to the side against Rangers as we could. We've changed the wing backs to give us energy and put us on the front foot.

"We want a bit more stability across the back line. Andy [Halliday] in from the start brings us experience and composure."

On the chances of making the top six, he adds: "On paper, it looks a difficult task, but there's nine points to play for between now and the split. All we can do is amass as many points as possible. What we have to do first is win one and see where it takes us."

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St Johnstone boss Craig Levein tells BBC Sportsound: "I'm going with two strikers today because I feel this is a game where we need to create chances and score goals.

"I know it sounds cliche, but it is eight cup finals for us. I feel good about the run-in, the team is fairly strong, but I think the addition of players [coming back from injury] will help enormously.

"We've been a little bit inconsistent, but we haven't lacked effort. That's the basic stuff and we've done that."

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Runaway leaders Stenhousemuir have stuttered after three straight draws but can clinch the title and promotion if they win away to third-top Dumbarton and Peterhead slip up at home to bottom side Clyde.

The improving Bully Wee, though, could be off the bottom with a victory as the two sides above them meet at Stair Park on the back of three straight defeats, with Stranraer hosting a Bonnyrigg Rose playing their first game since sacking manager Robbie Horn following nine winless games.

Fourth-top Spartans host Forfar Athletic, who are unbeaten in 10 outings, while fifth-place East Fife, unbeaten in seven, entertain Elgin City.

• Dumbarton v Stenhousemuir
• East Fife v Elgin City
• Peterhead v Clyde
• Stranraer v Bonnyrigg Rose
• The Spartans v Forfar Athletic

Dundee boss Tony Docherty tells BBC Scotland he "was really pleased with the performance level, the clean sheet and the attacking intent" of their last game.

"So I am going with the same system with a good bench behind it," he says.

"We have maintained the match preparation and are very much looking forward to the game. We have now got players back that we didn't have going into the international break, so it's been good for us and hopefully that shows in today's performance.

"If we were to get a result today, that would allow us to get closer to achieving our objective of staying in the league. I also had an objective of 10 wins. If we win today, that's our 10th win.

"There is nothing more important than making sure we retain our SPFL status."

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Aberdeen caretaker manager Peter Leven tells BBC Scotland the game has "that little bit more of an edge to it" because County are breathing down their necks in the relegation zone.

"But we are at home, coming off the last game away to Motherwell," he says. "Hopefully we can continue that good performance and get the three points."

As for the continuing managerial search, he replies: “The club have addressed that, but we are just focused on the match and three points. The players have not shown any signs of poor training. The attitude has been great and the boys have been right behind the staff.”

On centre-half Angus MacDonald’s absence, Leven adds: “Angus has been ill for four or five days. We gave him every possible chance to make it.”

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St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson tells BBC Sportsound about the 5-2 loss to Kilmarnock: "Sometimes you can over-analyse things. We had an 18-minute spell that was unacceptable. Sometimes there are anomalies. A lot of people said 'that just wasn't you'.

"It was us on the day, it wasn't acceptable, and we have to put that right today. Where we sit in the league, you clearly don't have moments like that very often."

Of Ryan Strain's return at right-back, he adds: "Ryan has trained solid for the last month. There's not a risk in playing him. He's a big player for us, he adds quality for us. Elvis [Bwomono] has come back from international duty a little jaded.

"We need to confirm top six first of all. I've said to the boys today, don't look above or below us, concentrate on this first and foremost. Let's put the wrongs to right from two weeks ago, it's still raw in our minds."

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Ross County interim manager Don Cowie tells BBC Scotland: "I think it’s only natural - from people outwith - that they’ll highlight how important the game is. We’ve got eight massive games coming up and this is the first of eight.

"We are two teams at the wrong end of the table. But we are feeling confident.

"We are in good form and it is about us making sure we put our stamp on the game. It is going to be a difficult match. Aberdeen have got very good individual players. We are prepared and we are ready for it."

Image source, SNS

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Hibs head coach Nick Montgomery tells BBC Scotland: "It's nice to have an unchanged team. I thought the boys performed really well last time out before the international break.

Of winger Martin Boyle's return from concussion, he says: "It's good to have Martin Boyle back. We know he can make a big impact. He missed a week or 10 days. The most important thing is he's fit and healthy.

"Elie Youan got two assists last time out, so he more than deserves to stay in.

"We need a big performance and a bit of luck. We've had good momentum, but we know the challenge today. Rangers need a result as well.

"All we can do is concentrate on each game as it comes. We'll go and give a good account of ourselves."

A potential title decider in front of a packed Tannadice dominates the second tier, with leaders Dundee United hosting Raith Rovers, who are a point behind but with a game in hand.

Rovers arrive unbeaten in three meetings with the pre-season favourites this season, winning the latest two.

Following Airdrieonians' 2-1 defeat by Ayr United last night, Dunfermline Athletic have the chance to move up to fourth if they improve on two consecutive draws with an Arbroath side who already looked doomed to relegation at the bottom.

Ayr leapfrogged Greenock Morton, who have lost five in a row, and Queen's Park, unbeaten in five and seeking a first win at Cappielow since 1962, into sixth but will find themselves in seventh once those two distribute points.

Partick Thistle can consolidate third place but host an Inverness Caledonian Thistle side who have only lost once in seven outings despite sitting second bottom. The sides have drawn all three meetings this season.

• Arbroath v Dunfermline Athletic
• Dundee United v Raith Rovers
• Greenock Morton v Queen's Park
• Partick Thistle v Inverness Caledonian Thistle

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Rangers manager Phillipe Clement tells BBC Scotland: "I think the team is in a good place, but not it's best place because there are players still coming back from injury."

With on-loan Brighton & Hove Albion forward Abdallah Sima on the bench and Todd Cantwell starting in midfield after injuries, he says: "Abdallah Sima can give something extra to the team. A lot of them are not yet 90-minutes fit. We need to get them to their best level. We're going to work hard on that.

"Todd will not play 90 minutes, but I need to bring him back after his injury. Tom Lawrence will play too."

As for title race, he adds: "We're not there yet in the sprint, but we're busy with Hibs. All focus is on this game. It's never the time to drop points, I want to win everything.

"Hibs score a lot of goals, the third most in the league. They have a lot of offensive power."