DASH TO THE LINE! With three games to go until Scottish Premiership split, Mail Sport examines the potential winners and losers

So, we have three games left before the Premiership split. Confirmation of Celtic’s 13th title in 14 years is just a matter of time while Rangers are set to secure another second-placed finish.

After a tremendous run of form, Hibs are also guaranteed to finish in the top-six. While all the teams currently below them could individually match or surpass the Easter Road side’s 44 points, the way the fixtures play out mean means it’s impossible for four of them to do so. David Gray’s men are safe.

There remains a huge incentive, though, for Hibs to stay there. 

Third place earns a spot in the second qualifying round of the Europa League.

Fourth place, occupied at present by Aberdeen, goes into the second qualifying round of the Conference League.

Were Celtic to win the Scottish Cup, then the side sitting fifth – currently Dundee United – would get a Conference League qualifier, with fourth heading into the Europa League qualifiers. If Celtic don’t win football’s oldest trophy, then fifth gets nothing.

The picture at the foot of the table is just as intriguing, with survival the only show in town.

Here, Mail Sport looks at the 10 clubs whose seasons have yet to be fully determined and assesses their chances of ending up where they want to be.

HIBS

Bottom of the pile in the early weeks of the season, Gray’s side are, without question, the most improved team in the country.

A draw at Kilmarnock last time out was enough to confirm their top-six status. Now unbeaten in 14 league games, they are a point clear of the Dons, two ahead of United and five in front of Hearts.

While they’ve still got a trip to Ibrox to come on April 5, they have home games with St Johnstone and Dundee either side of that.

We know a lot can happen after the split, but you can’t foresee the wheels coming off the green and white juggernaut.

SPLIT PREDICTION: 3rd

ABERDEEN

What a strange season it’s been for the Dons. Had you offered their current position to their supporters last July, they’d have settled for it.

However, after such an incredible start to life under Jimmy Thelin – winning 10 and drawing one of their opening 11 games – it all began to unravel.

Aberdeen’s recent revival saw Kevin Nisbet score twice in a 2-2 draw with Dundee United 

The Swede has seen more signs of life recently, with at loss at Parkhead the only reverse in five league outings.

Motherwell, Ross County and Rangers make for a taxing run before the split. They will do well to stay where they are.

SPLIT PREDICTION: 5th

DUNDEE UNITED

The Tannadice club have been so impressive this season that it’s easy to forget they are newly promoted.

Crucially, when they’ve hit a bump in the road, they’ve shown the character you need to bounce back. Only once have they lost three successive league games.

Jim Goodwin’s Dundee United have faltered recently but should come out fighting before split

Jim Goodwill will be just a little concerned at his side’s form before the international break. They lost at home to Hibs and Dundee and surrendered a two-goal lead at Aberdeen.

But, with Ross County, Hearts and St Johnstone on the horizon, they should improve their position before the split.

SPLIT PREDICTION: 4th

HEARTS

It’s been an underwhelming season to date for the Gorgie men. After dispensing with the services of Steven Naismith, Neil Critchley got the traditional new-manager bounce, only for old problems to resurface.

Since the turn of the year, though, it’s been better – with just two defeats in 13 games in all competitions.

Hearts beat Ross County last time out but face a tough away trip to Celtic Park on Saturday

Although they have progressed up the table to edge into the top six, finishing there won’t be easy.

They first face Celtic away, with Brendan Rodgers’ side looking to bounce back from their Old Firm defeat. If they don’t take anything from Dundee United at home, then a trip to Fir Park will be fraught with danger.

SPLIT PREDICTION: 7th

MOTHERWELL

The Steelmen have to be quietly confident of sneaking up the rails and making the top six.

New manager Michael Wimmer has made a real impression since taking over from Stuart Kettlewell, beating Dundee and Rangers, and drawing with St Mirren.

Michael Wimmer has made a fine first impression as manager of the Fir Park outfit

While they have two difficult away games at Aberdeen and Kilmarnock coming up, if they can stay within a couple of points of Hearts before they meet at Fir Park on April 12, they will stand every chance of jumping above them.

SPLIT PREDICTION: 6th

ST MIRREN

The Buddies will have spent the international break looking above and below them in the table.

Stephen Robinson’s side are three points off the top-six yet are only four ahead of the play-off spot.

St Mirren need to get back to the scintillating form that saw them beat Rangers in February

A kind run of games which sees them face Kilmarnock, Dundee and Ross County will give them cause to believe they can secure a top-six berth for a third successive season.

With one win in their last seven matches, however, they don’t have the form you’d want as the business end of the season approaches.

SPLIT PREDICTION: 8th

ROSS COUNTY

The Staggies are accustomed to things getting a little bit nervy at this time of the season and, with just four points separating them from Dundee at this juncture, they will take nothing for granted.

The team have made strides during Don Cowie’s first full season charge. 

Ross County are capable of producing tight victories like this one against visitors Kilmarnock

Having sorted out their dismal away form, County have continued to accrue enough points in Dingwall to put themselves in a decent position.

With three wins in five, they will look towards games with Dundee United, Aberdeen (both home) then St Mirren away with confidence.

SPLIT PREDICTION: 9th

KILMARNOCK

European football predictably took its toll on Killie at the start of the season. Even after being eliminated, though, they rarely got into a rhythm.

Derek McInnes’ Kilmarnock need to start getting points on the board ahead of the split

Derek McInnes’ side had a mini-revival with back-to-back wins against Dundee United and St Johnstone last month, yet have since taken one point from a possible 12.

With a trip to Celtic Park awaiting in their final game before the split, they badly need to get some points on the board when they face St Mirren (away) then Motherwell (home).

SPLIT PREDICTION: 11th

DUNDEE

It’s been impossible to get a handle on Tony Docherty’s side. They’ve been capable of getting draws at home to Celtic and Rangers in games they really should have won and recorded a memorable 4-2 win at Tannadice last time out.

They can be exciting to watch on the front foot yet they concede far too many goals. They’ve managed just one clean sheet in the league this term and lost 63 goals. That’s nine more than bottom club St Johnstone.

Dundee’s 4-2 win against Dundee United at Tannadice gave them an unexpected boost

More damage could be done by the time they face Rangers and St Mirren (both home) then Hibs away.

With just one point separating them from Kilmarnock, they know they have the firepower to move up the table.

SPLIT PREDICTION: 10th

ST JOHNSTONE

Simo Valakari has certainly improved matters since taking over from Craig Levein last October.

Simo Valakari has done his very best to save St Johnstone but is facing an uphill battle

Once his January signings started to gel, results picked up. In their last 10 matches in all competitions, they have lost just twice and have a Scottish Cup semi-final with Celtic to look forward to.

But, even with eight games remaining, five points is a lot to make up. With Hibs away, Celtic at home and Dundee United away coming up next, it’s hard to see their position improving much before the split.

SPLIT PREDICTION: 12th