Hearts seem certain to be handed a third visit to Celtic Park when the SPFL announce their post split fixtures later today.
Ronny Deila’s side are due to get three home matches from the final run of fixtures with balancing the home and away fixtures taking priority over ensuring two home and two away matches between teams.
Hearts, Ross County and St Johnstone have already visited Celtic Park twice with the Edinburgh side, who were in the Championship last season, getting the short straw of a third visit to the east end.
Celtic, Aberdeen and Hearts are due to get three home matches with the SPFL working out a schedule with clubs and television companies over the last few weeks with Motherwell’s late run into the top six at the expense of Dundee the only surprise.
Mark McGhee’s side and Aberdeen will both make return trips to Celtic Park with the timing of the Aberdeen match the one that most supporters will be looking out for.
If that fixture is the second one after the split it could provide an opportunity for Celtic to clinch the flag against their closest rivals.
Should the SPFL make it the first match after the split a Celtic win would put Deila’s side 11 points and 30 plus goals in front with four matches left to play.
The remaining matches are scheduled for April 23 and 30, May 7, 11 and 15 with the first four dates subject to change to suit television schedules.
Last season Celtic clinched the title without kicking a ball when Aberdeen lost 1-0 at Dundee United on May 2 with the hoops winning 1-0 at Pittodrie the following weekend.
It’s understood that clubs are advised whether they will be given a home or away match for the weekend of April 23 with the SPFL site the first source for details of all of the fixtures.
In the bottom half of the table the main interest will be on the Hamilton/ Kilmarnock match with the Lanarkshire side four points ahead of Killie with the side finishing second bottom having to wait till the end of May for a play-off fixture against a Championship side.