Scottish Premiership fans are in for a treat in December, with the upcoming schedule packed with fixtures which will impact matters at both ends of the table.
For supporters inclined towards online betting, the 2025/26 season has already produced more exciting wagering opportunities than in recent campaigns.
Hearts’ emergence as genuine title contenders has not only stunned Celtic and Rangers, but has also triggered a seismic shift in the outright betting market.
The Edinburgh-based club are now as short as 4/1 to win the Scottish top-flight title for the first time since 1959/60 and they will fancy their chances of getting the job done.
Punters more familiar with slot games such as rainbow riches will recognise that the odds represent decent value given the title race is shaping up to be a two-horse race.
Celtic are the nearest pursuers and their upcoming clash with Hearts at Parkhead is one of several big games next month. Read on as we look at the best games to watch in December.
Celtic vs Hearts – December 7
The Hoops went into the season chasing their fifth consecutive league title, but things have not gone to plan during the early part of the campaign.
Brendan Rodgers’ acrimonious exit from the club in October triggered the return of Martin O’Neill as interim manager and he has done well to steady the ship.
Celtic will likely have made a permanent appointment by the time they face Hearts, and the new man will be desperate to make an immediate impression in this crucial game.
Rangers vs Hibernian – December 15
Rangers have also been in turmoil this season after their decision to appoint Russell Martin as manager unsurprisingly failed to pay dividends.
Danny Rohl has subsequently got Rangers heading in the right direction in the league, but his team still has plenty of ground to make up on the top two clubs.
The upcoming home fixture against Hibernian is one of two tricky tests that Rangers face in December and they desperately need to emerge unscathed from both games.
Hearts vs Rangers – December 21
Rangers will visit Hearts on December 21 knowing that this fixture presents a golden opportunity to spark a three-way battle for the title.
Hearts triumphed 2-0 at Ibrox earlier this season and a similar result would end any lingering hopes of Rangers forcing their way back into contention.
With home games against Motherwell and St Mirren scheduled after the trip to Tynecastle, Rohl’s side have the chance to end the year on a positive note.
St Mirren vs Kilmarnock – December 27
St Mirren, Kilmarnock, Dundee and Livingston look likely set to spend most of the season battling to avoid relegation to the Scottish Championship.
Given that meetings between the teams will be crucial to their survival hopes, the clash between St Mirren and Kilmarnock on December 27 should be a cracker.
Kilmarnock defeated Saints 2-0 when the teams met at Rugby Park earlier this season, but may find it difficult to repeat the trick in Paisley.
Motherwell vs Celtic – December 30
Motherwell have quietly moved into contention for European qualification and will be eager to improve their chances when they host Celtic at the end of December.
The Hoops needed a last-minute goal to secure a 3-2 home victory when the two sides met in October, and they will not be relishing the trip to Fir Park.
Motherwell have drawn with Rangers and Hearts this season, highlighting their ability to make life difficult for the big guns in Scotland.