Before the Round – Tends on Scotland Premiership (05-06/08)

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The Premiership’s 2023-24 campaign will kick off this weekend and Celtic will attempt to win their third straight title.

Rangers will hope to throw a spanner in the works, while Aberdeen and Hibernian could disrupt the top two.

Celtic - Ross County

Brendan Rodgers has returned to Celtic and will attempt to win another league title with the Glaswegians. Celtic won their last six matches against Ross County in all competitions. They outscored County 17-3.

Celtic saw over 2.5 goals in 25 of their last 31 Premiership matches. The Hoops could let loose with some goals on opening day. They tallied at least 2.0 goals in 20 of their last 22 fixtures in the league. The last six games between Celtic and Ross County saw 2.0 or more goals.

Ross County finished bottom of the Premiership table during the regular season. However, County saved themselves during the bottom six round. Ross County finished 11th and won the relegation playoff to remain in the league.

• A period of 19 straight home games without a defeat marks the Premiership campaign of Celtic FC.
• Ross County have lost just 1 of their last 6 games in all competitions.
• Celtic FC have scored 1+ goals in all of their last 19 home Premiership games.
• Both teams have scored in Ross County's last 6 matches in all competitions.
• Prediction: Celtic FC

Kilmarnock – Rangers

Rangers will hope their offseason moves will provide a sustained title push this season. The Blues will start away at Kilmarnock. Rangers are on a six-game winning streak against Killie. The Blues outscored Kilmarnock 12-3 in the last six games.

Killie finished 11th in the regular season last term. They improved during the bottom six round to finish the campaign in 10th. Kilmarnock conceded the joint-most goals in the regular season in 2022-23, with 58.

Rangers scored 81 times last season and conceded 34 goals. It was the second-best tallies in both categories. Rangers scored 3.0 or more goals in each of their last two wins over Killie.

• Kilmarnock FC have won 5 of their last 6 encounters in all competitions.
• Rangers FC are undefeated at HT in their last 18 league games.
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Kilmarnock FC's last 6 matches in all competitions.
• Rangers FC have won all of their last 6 matches against Kilmarnock FC in Premiership.
• Prediction: Rangers

Livingston – Aberdeen

Livingston and Aberdeen split their last six head-to-head matches in all competitions. The Lions won their last two home matches against Aberdeen in all competitions.

Aberdeen were the best of the rest in the Premiership last term. They finished third in the regular season, with 53 points. The Dons won their final six regular season matches. Aberdeen qualified for the Europa League playoff round thanks to their brilliant season in Scotland.

Livingston finished seventh and just missed the top six round. The Lions ended the campaign with 46 points from 38 games. They scored just 36 times and conceded 60 goals. No team scored fewer goals than Livingston in the regular season and playoffs.

• Livingston FC are undefeated in 10 of their last 12 home Premiership games.
• Aberdeen FC have been defeated in their last 3 away matches in Premiership.
• Livingston FC are in an unfortunate period, having won just 1 of their last 6 matches in Premiership.
• In Aberdeen FC's last 3 games in Premiership there have been over 2.5 goals scored.
• Prediction: Livingston FC

Hibernian - St Mirren

Hibernian finished fifth in the Scottish Premiership last term, qualifying for Conference League qualifying rounds. Hibs will attempt to start the season well against St Mirren, who surprised onlookers with a top-six finish last term.

St Mirren took 44 points from 33 matches in the regular season. The Buddies lost their last three matches against Hibs in all competitions.

Hibernian may have finished fifth in the regular season, but they still conceded 52 times. Hibs scored 49 goals, the fifth-most in the regular season. St Mirren, on the other hand, tallied 38 goals in the regular season.

• There are no losses for Hibernian FC in 6 of their most recent 7 games (Premiership).
• St. Mirren have conceded 2+ goals in all of their last 7 league matches.
• Hibernian FC have scored 1+ goals in all of their last 9 home Premiership games.
• St. Mirren's last 5 games in Premiership have been high-scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored.
• Prediction: Hibernian