Scottish Premiership picks: Edinburgh derby kicks of Boxing Day action

One of the Premiership’s newest managers, Simo Valakari, is facing a big challenge at St Johnstone.

With just one point from a possible 12 so far in December, the Perth side are a point adrift in 12th place.

However, Saints supporters will know their three defeats so far this month have been by a margin of one goal, while the point they picked up away to Aberdeen came only after the Dons had battled back from a goal down.

The short version is that it’s tight in this league and Valakari’s side need to find a way to end up on the right end of marginal games.

Dundee United are their Boxing Day visitors, aiming for their second straight win over Saints.

With three wins and a draw out of 11 so far, Finnish former Motherwell player Valakari has not enjoyed the strongest of starts at McDiarmid Park but he’s not alone. Hearts’ Neil Critchley has five wins from 15 while David Gray at Hibernian has only recently pushed his win percentage in to the high 20s.

Again, it’s tight in the Scottish top flight but that also means a win can go a long way and Valakari still has it within his gift to guide St Johnstone off the bottom of the table in time for the New Year.