Can Hearts stay on top with an Edinburgh derby win?

The Scottish Premiership title race refuses to follow the old playbook as Hearts continue to lead at the top.

However, after suffering their third league defeat of the season against St Mirren last Tuesday, can Derek McInnes’ side respond when they face their city rivals seven days later?

Hearts will continue to be without the injured duo of Laurence Shankland and Cami Devlin, while Craig Hackett, who scored the winning goal in the sides’ last meeting at Tynecastle, is suspended as Jambos picked up another red card in the Paisley defeat.

McInnes insists his side will face “13 cup finals” between now and the end of the season if they want to be crowned champions, but insists there is no “extra anxiety” in a tense title race.

Both sides had a free weekend after being eliminated from the Scottish Cup, with Hibernian coming into the game on the back of a dramatic win over Dundee United, with new signing Ante Suto scoring the winner in the 93rd minute.

He will be one of a number of new faces traveling from Easter Road to Georgie to experience a derby for the first time, with manager David Gray hoping his Hib side can “remain calm amid the chaos” and enjoy the game.

Hibs may be 15 points adrift of their opponents going into this game, but with three wins from their last four league games against Hearts – they will be full of confidence.

Otherwise, only Rangers (22) have scored more points in the league than Hibs (14) since Christmas. If they win again they will be just one point away from Motherwell in fourth.

It remains to be seen whether the leaders will come out on top on derby day, or whether their rivals will undermine their title hopes. Regardless, it’s more than just bragging rights.

Rangers conducting Röhl but Fir Park test

Wednesday, February 11, 7:00 p.m.

Starts at 8:00 pm

Just a few months ago, former Rangers boss Russell Martin needed a police escort to leave Falkirk Stadium as the Ibrox club dropped down the pecking order. Everything is pointing towards a two-horse title race between Hearts and Celtic.

However, replacing him with Danny Rohr has transformed the Ibrox side into genuine title contenders, unbeaten in their last eight league games.

Wanderers earned more points than any other team in Wednesday’s match with a 1-0 victory.

With seven wins, Rangers move into second place, just three games behind Hearts and three ahead of Celtic – although their old rivals still have a game in hand.

The new signings have also impressed, with three of them scoring in Rangers’ last two games. The feel-good factor is back – but will it last?

Motherwell have become known for their attack, possession and free-flowing football this season under coach Jens Berthel Askou.

However, another thing that is equally impressive is their Fir Park status. At home, Motherwell have kept clean sheets in each of their last nine home games – eight of which have been in the league.

“First of all, whenever we have the ball, it’s very difficult for our opponents to score unless we put the ball in the back of the net ourselves, which we haven’t done yet,” Ascu noted.

“The other thing is, if we have the ball a lot, they spend a lot of energy chasing the ball and defending us. If we’re a threat at the same time, then they spend a lot more energy making sure we don’t create chances and score goals.”

Stay live if Motherwell secure a famous Fir Park victory on Wednesday sky sportsso are they competing for the championship? If they’re within a certain range of full-time employees mentioned above, maybe they should.

Judging from the last six league clashes, the two sides have similar records, with each side winning two games and the other two draws. Something has to pay, and the stakes are huge for both sides.

A landmark night for O’Neal, but will Oaks make his debut?

It will be a big night for Martin O’Neill as Championship rivals Celtic host bottom side Livingston.

The 73-year-old takes charge on an interim basis for the second time this season and this is his 200th league game. To date, he has 163 wins, the most of any basketball coach.

Many of Celtic’s highlights this season under O’Neill have involved Benjamin Nygren, who has scored in each of the club’s last four league games. The last player to score in five consecutive Premier League games in his first season at the club was Scott Sinclair ten years ago.

From first season to first game, will Celtics fans get their first glimpse of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in action?

The former Arsenal and Liverpool man joined on Saturday and has been training with the Premier League leaders but it remains to be seen whether he will be available immediately after a few days.

Livingston, meanwhile, know they need to put in their best performance of the season if they are to win.

The Almonville club is winless in its past 23 league games and is firmly at the bottom of the standings.

Marvin Bartley is now in charge, with former boss David Martindale moving upstairs, but the new man in the dugout will face the same old tasks that failed the man before him. They have never beaten Celtic in their last 22 visits to Glasgow.

The odds are stacked against the visiting team and the home fans are looking for a big win to help them put pressure on their title rivals.

Bottom fight

Two of the three clubs above Livingston will meet in Ayrshire, with Kilmarnock taking on St Mirren.

The home side, currently coached by Neil McCann, have managed just one win in 18 league games. The good news is that they picked up a win in their final game at Rugby Park, beating Aberdeen 3-0.

Another win at home could see them move nine points above the bottom and just three behind the top teams as they look to escape the relegation play-off spots.

Standing in their way is St Mirren, who have taken just six points away from home all season and are winless in their last eight away league games. During this period, only bottom-placed Livingston scored lower.

You need to go back to May 2013, when Saints were coached by Danny Lennon and last won a top-flight game at Kilmarnock – could that unpopular tie end on Wednesday?

Elsewhere, Dundee are also battling at the bottom of the table but will hope they can put their struggles away at Falkirk behind them.

Steven Pressley’s side have just one win away from home all season and are the club’s lowest scorer with five.

Both league meetings this season have been won by the home side and Falkirk will be hoping that trend continues as they bid to tighten their grip on the top six.

Baines were promoted in the summer and have won five of their last eight league games and a win on Wednesday could see them level on points with Hibs if they lose to Hearts the night before.

Who will win the ‘New Firm Derby’ to boost their top six hopes?

While Falkirk is the team fighting for the final top six, Dundee United and Aberdeen have not given up hope just yet.

They both have a game in hand and face off at Tannadice Park, where the hosts have an impressive record against the Dons.

Dundee United have won six of their last seven games at Discovery City. It’s safe to say Jim Goodwin will be hoping his side can get a much-needed win on Wednesday – after watching his side lose their last four league games.

Indeed, both sides are struggling, with Aberdeen still managed by caretaker Peter Levene having managed just one win in their last eight league games.

The game includes five straight away defeats. If that number becomes sixth, it will be a huge blow to their hopes of reaching their desired sixth place finish.