Will Celtic get a positive result against Aston Villa?
ANDY NEWPORT: They may not want one. Beat John McGinn and co and it might end up being the likes of Man City, PSG, Sporting, Benfica or PSV in the play-offs. Lose and it is likely to be one of Brest, Lille, Feyenoord or Monaco in the next round. Sending the kids down to Villa Park might not be the worst idea for Brendan Rodgers.
CRAIG SWAN: The shackles are off with qualification secured and they can have a crack. Won’t be easy, though. Villa have their own agenda and are strong, but Celtic could nab a point.
KEITH JACKSON: It’s a free shot for Celtic while Villa need a win to nail down a top eight finish. If Scotland’s champions can take a point back up the road it would lay down a statement of interment for the play off rounds.
MICHAEL GANNON: They’ve got a fighting chance. It’s a free punch and will be a good benchmark for where Celtic are ahead of the playoff round. But there’s also a possibility a win might not be the best scenario for Celts anyway.
Will Rangers finish their league phase with a win?
ANDY NEWPORT: Having taken care of the Belgians last time they met during Gio van Bronckhorst’s tenure, you’d assume Gers will get the job done again but it all depends on what kind of team Philippe Clement can put out with his injury woes again mounting.
CRAIG SWAN:Rangers were heartbroken in Manchester and they will take that out on this week’s opposition and get the win.
KEITH JACKSON: Yes, so long as the Ibrox injury list doesn’t get any worse. Rangers have had another excellent run in the Europa League and should finish off the group stage in style.
MICHAEL GANNON: They are more than capable. The pressure is off but Gers can deal with the Belgians despite a brutal injury list.
Hibs or Hearts – who will be the top dogs in Edinburgh this season?
ANDY NEWPORT: It will be tight but Heart’s January business means they might just edge it. But there’s still time for Hibs to make some moves this month and prove me wrong.
CRAIG SWAN: Hearts are doing some good business in this window and might just shade it. But Hibs are also on the right track and it’ll be tight.
KEITH JACKSON: That’s a tough call. Let’s be blunt, they’re both making a meal of it this season but with only three points between the pair of them it’s all to play for between now and May. Either way there’s not much for them to boast about.
MICHAEL GANNON: It’s going to be a decent scrap and Hearts are back in the fight with a few additions. But Hibs have found form and can hold off their old foes.
Is Simo Valakari going to save St Johnstone?
ANDY NEWPORT: Maybe not this season but I think the Finn has shown enough to suggest he should be kept on for next year’s rebuild job in Perth.
CRAIG SWAN: It will need one of the other clubs near them to go into a meltdown and that’s not likely. Saints are still struggling.
KEITH JACKSON: Probably not. He took on a hospital pass when he inherited Craig Levein’s squad and two wins over Motherwell doesn’t change much in terms of the overall picture. St Johnstone look doomed.
MICHAEL GANNON: It’s going be a monumental task but there is hope. Saints have goals in their team and if Valakari can sort out the backline, they can stay in the fight.