The Scottish Premiership (formerly the SPL) returns today with newly-promoted Partick Thistle kicking off the season with a home match against Dundee United.

There are a further three games tomorrow before Motherwell’s trip to Hibernian and St Johnstone’s clash with Hearts round off the weekend action on Sunday.

The clash at Fir Park between ‘Well and Hibs will be interesting in a number of ways.

Easter Road boss Pat Fenlon is under huge pressure following last season’s dismal form and a Europa League thumping against Malmo last week. His Hibs side face Hearts next week and he can’t afford to head into that game on the back of another defeat.

Then there’s Motherwell. They have lost key players during the summer but have recruited well and, with a full pre-season behind him, James McFadden could be one of the star men of the Premiership season.

The last seven meetings between the two teams have produced 28 goals with only two of them failing to see four or more.

Based on the way Hibs defended against Malmo and the attacking talent in the Motherwell side, one can see more goals this time at Easter Road.

In the other matches there may not be too many goals at Pittodrie, McDairmid Park and the Caledonian Stadium if last season is anything to go by.

Partick versus Dundee United is a bit of an unknown given it’s the new boys against a revamped United while Celtic are capable of sticking a few past Ross County if they turn on the style but that is less likely on the back of a European tie.

On Wednesday, Celtic beat Elfsborg 1-0 in the first leg of their third qualifying round of the Champions League.

Programme

Today: 20.45 Partick Thistle vs Dundee United.

Tomorrow: 16.00 Aberdeen vs Kilmarnock; Inverness vs St Mirren. 18.15 Celtic vs Ross County.

Sunday: 14.15 Hibernian vs Motherwell; 16.00 St Johnstone vs Hearts.