Two sides under pressure to maintain their places in the top six of the Scottish Premiership meet at Rugby Park on Saturday, when Kilmarnock host Hibernian.
With Aberdeen and Dundee applying pressure in seventh and eighth, these two sides must ensure to pick up consistent results, with the two below them both having multiple games in hand.
Match preview
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Kilmarnock are well-placed for a shot at the European places given the current buffer between themselves and the bottom six.
Eight points is the gap between themselves and Aberdeen heading into the weekend, as Derek McInnes's side sit in fourth.
Home form has been a huge factor in that positive start, and they have lost just three of their 16 home games in all competition this season - winning nine, including against both Celtic and Rangers.
The Killie faithful will hope their side can resume their fine league form after the winter break, despite losing their last fixture 3-1 at Ibrox against Rangers.
A blistering start to their cup win over Dundee in their first game for three weeks last weekend was exactly what McInnes would have hoped for, as both of the goals in their 2-0 victory came inside the first three minutes.
They now face opponents who they have a rather dismal record against though, as Kilmarnock have only won one of their previous 12 meetings with Hibernian.
Hibs are not in the best shape heading into this clash though, after a humbling defeat at home to Rangers in midweek.
That 3-0 defeat means Nick Montgomery's side have taken just four points from their last six games, with the only win in that time coming against bottom-placed Livingston.
Hibs are still hanging onto a place in the Championship Group at present, but unless results drastically improve, the sides below them will likely catch them, given their games in hand.
Aberdeen are just two points behind, and Dundee three points off, but both clubs have two games in hand over Hibs, to be played over the next month.
Team News
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Kyle Magennis remains the only absentee for Kilmarnock heading into this clash, with the attacker still recovering from a hamstring injury which will keep him out for another few weeks, while Andrew Dallas returned to Barnsley after making 14 appearances during his loan spell.
Possibly in response to the absence of Magennis, Killie have opted to strengthen their attack, bringing Greg Stewart back to Scottish football after three years in the Indian Premier League.
Stewart made his debut as an injury-time substitute in the cup win over Dundee last weekend, and will look for opportunities to stake a claim for a starting spot.
After Ghana were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations in midweek, Jojo Wollacott is set to return to offer competition to starting keeper David Marshall.
Rocky Bushiri remains on duty with DR Congo at AFCON though, and Martin Boyle and Lewis Miller have also reached the knockout stage with Australia at the Asian Cup.
Myziane Maolida and Emiliano Marcondes have arrived on loan this month, and both made their debuts in the Rangers clash on Wednesday, with the two likely to start here.
On the injury front, Josh Campbell, Adam Le Fondre, Jake Doyle-Hayes and Chris Cadden are all currently sidelined for the visitors.
Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
Dennis; Wright, Mayo, Findlay, Ndaba; McKenzie, Donnelly, Polworth; Armstrong, Vassell, Kennedy
Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Marshall; Megwa, Fish, Stevenson, Obita; Marcondes, Levitt, Newell, Jair Tavares; Maolida, Vente
We say: Kilmarnock 2-0 Hibernian
Kilmarnock's superb home form makes them favourites for this clash, and they should continue their push for Europe with another win.
Hibs have some key players absent at present and made a disappointing return to action at home in the week, so could find it difficult again.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Andrew Delaney
