How are the fixtures for rounds 34-38 determined?
All clubs play either 16 or 17 home games in the 33 fixture rounds before the split. The most important thing is to try to ensure clubs finish the season having played 19 games at home and 19 away. This is not always possible but we have managed to balance the fixture list for 2021/22.
Will some clubs play certain opponents three times at home and once away?
Yes. Fixture reversals, to a greater or lesser extent, have been required in every season since the split was introduced back in season 2000/01.
What games have been switched this season?
To achieve the 19/19 home/away balance, four pairings have been reversed in the post-split schedule for 2021/22. In the top six, Dundee United will host Heart of Midlothian and Motherwell for a third time. In the bottom six, Dundee will be at home to Hibernian for a third time and Hibernian will play St Johnstone at Easter Road for a third time.
How do you decide which fixtures are reversed?
We generally aim for the fewest switches possible and try to avoid reversing fixtures that have a key impact on the league title, the race for Europe and the battle to avoid relegation, but this is not always possible. We try to avoid reversing the big city derbies and may also take into account what has happened with the post-split fixtures in previous years.
Are there any ‘golden rules’ regarding the post-split fixtures?
All clubs will play a minimum of two and a maximum of three home fixtures after the split. We try to ensure clubs finish the season home/away or away/home and that has been achieved this season.
Why have the split at all?
In order to accommodate a division of 12 clubs, without forcing them to play too many matches (44), the split is essential. It also provides additional interest ahead of the split itself and that was highlighted on an incredible weekend of football. We had seven clubs chasing three places – Motherwell secured a top-six place with a stoppage-time equaliser at Livingston and Ross County also scored a late goal at Aberdeen to make the cut. The final five games then involve teams playing each other to chase a common objective, whether that is the title, European qualification – Scotland has five places in UEFA competitions for 2022/23 – or to retain their SPFL status by avoiding relegation or the play-offs. No league structure is perfect but over the past two decades the split has become an established and exciting element of the cinch Premiership.
Remind us of the post-split dates
Following a break for the Scottish Cup semi-finals, with two huge games at Hampden Park, the cinch Premiership resumes on the weekend of April 23/24. Fixture round 35 takes place on the weekend of April 30/May 1 and fixture round 36 is on the weekend of May 7/8. Fixture round 37 is scheduled for the midweek of May 10/11 and fixture round 38 concludes the cinch Premiership season on the weekend of May 14/15.
What post-split matches have been chosen for live TV coverage?
Our broadcast partner Sky Sports have so far selected six matches, including Celtic v Rangers on Sunday May 1, kick-off 12 noon. Their post-split coverage will begin with a double header on Sunday April 24, with Motherwell v Rangers followed by Ross County v Celtic. Other selections are Celtic v Heart of Midlothian (May 7), Dundee United v Celtic (May 11) and Celtic v Motherwell (May 14). Sky Sports may also make bottom-six selections for fixture round 38 in due course.
Anything else?
Rangers v Dundee United has been scheduled for Sunday May 8 as Celtic are also at home that weekend and Rangers will be involved in a Europa League semi-final on Thursday May 5 if they overcome Braga this week. Dundee United v Heart of Midlothian will be played on Sunday April 24 to avoid a clash with the Dundee v St Johnstone fixture that weekend. Similarly, Dundee v Hibernian is on Tuesday May 10 as Dundee United are at home to Celtic on Wednesday May 11.
