Weekend SPFL preview

There’s another big weekend of football coming up in the SPFL, with St Mirren and Ayr United having the chance to clinch titles.

There is only one game in the Ladbrokes Premiership, with Hamilton Accies at home to a Kilmarnock side unbeaten in 10 league matches. Hamilton are four points clear of the relegation zone and a victory would be a massive boost in their bid to retain their top-flight status but only Aberdeen have have managed to get the better of Killie since they lost to Hibs at the end of October.

St Mirren will clinch the Ladbrokes Championship title if they avoid defeat to second-placed Livingston at the Paisley 2021 Stadium on Saturday. The Buddies lost at Tannadice on Tuesday but are 12 points clear with only four matches remaining. Dunfermline Athletic are on a good run, that has seen them climb to third in the table, and they will expect to keep it going against relegated Brechin City at East End Park. Dundee United, in fourth spot, are at home to Falkirk while Morton, who are just outside the play-offs, welcome Queen of the South to Cappielow. Inverness Caley Thistle still have an outside chance of making the top four as they prepare for a Saturday-Tuesday double header against Dumbarton, with the first game in the Highland capital.

Free-scoring Ayr United could be crowned Ladbrokes League 1 champions if they beat Stranraer at Somerset Park but that would also require closest challengers Raith Rovers to drop points against bottom club Queen's Park at Stark's Park. Arbroath are close to sealing a play-off place as they prepare to travel to Methil to play East Fife and it's a similar story for Alloa Athletic, who are up against Forfar Athletic at Station Park. Airdrieonians host struggling Albion Rovers in a Lanarkshire derby at the Excelsior Stadium.

Montrose moved to the summit of Ladbrokes League 2 by beating Cowdenbeath in midweek and Stewart Petrie's side need seven points from their last three games to guarantee the title. They play Berwick Rangers at Links Park on Saturday while closest challengers Peterhead face Cowdenbeath at Balmoor. Stirling Albion's form has dipped of late but they could secure a play-off place when they take on Clyde at Broadwood. Fourth-placed Stenhousemuir entertain Annan Athletic at Ochilview and Elgin City, who also harbour play-off hopes, are up against Edinburgh City at Borough Briggs.

The Scottish Cup semi-finals take place at Hampden this weekend, with a place in the final on May 19 at stake. Aberdeen and Motherwell meet on Saturday lunchtime and Celtic face Rangers on Sunday afternoon.