HEARTS can give their fans festive goodwill by winning at Tannadice against Dundee United on Christmas Eve.
It's been something of a disappointing season for the Jambos so far domestically at least after last season's comfortable third-placed finish.
Yet despite losing six of their 16 league games so far this season, they are only a point behind third-placed Aberdeen with a game in hand.
Their Europa Conference League exploits were a chastising experience on the whole and it appeared to directly impact their league form and they have suffered too from a pretty hefty injury list.
But that's cleared somewhat and they looked fresh and benefitted from their World Cup break last week when they eased Kilmarnock aside at Tynecastle.
United's game last week at Livingston was postponed and there will be some rust among Liam Fox's side. Hearts should be on for a strong second half of the season though and look a solid shout at 13/10.
COVE RANGERS can add to Hamilton Accies' woes with a Friday night win in Aberdeen.
Jim McInally's men have done ok in their first-ever season in the second tier and that's largely been down to their form at the Balmoral Stadium home.
They've failed to win a league match away so it's just as well they are strong there. They've already defeated Dundee, Queen's Park and Arbroath at home.
There should be extra motivation for them after a remarkable game in October when they somehow let slip a 4-1 lead in Lanarkshire against Accies to draw 4-4.
Hamilton have got their work cut out to stay in the Championship. They have managed just two wins out of 17 in the league this season and have lost their last four games in the league.
Cove should gain revenge for their New Douglas Park collapse at 11/10.
PARTICK THISTLE have overcome a horrendous dip in form and can prove to be too strong for Caley thistle in another Friday night clash.
Ian McCall's men deservedly came from behind to beat leaders Ayr United last week and they were impressive in the win.
They have had plenty of injury worries and after a horror spell of six defeats in a row, have come through that and won three out of four in all competitions.
Inverness have been plagued with injuries recently and have already lost 4-1 at Firhill this season and haven't won a league game since the middle of October.
And the Jags can get the job done at 11/10.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- HEARTS 13/10
- COVE RANGERS 11/10
- PARTICK THISTLE 11/10.
- Prices @ McBookie
Freelance Scottish Football journalist for all newspapers. Former Racing Post Scottish Football Correspondent and long-suffering Aberdeen fan.
