Who will win the race for third?

By Murdo MacLeod BBC Scotland football pundit

BBC Scotland football pundit Murdo MacLeod evaluates the chances of the SPL teams chasing third spot in the league and the much sought after Uefa Cup place.

3RD MOTHERWELL - PLAYED 35 - GOAL DIFFERENCE +1 - POINTS 53

Motherwell are favourites for third. They have still to play Hibs and Aberdeen which is an advantage bacause they are two teams outwith the Old Firm.

They can afford to lose to the Old Firm whereas the other teams cannot. They have more points than the other contenders at the moment as well.

I watched them in last week's game against Celtic and they played well. They pushed Rangers all the way as well so it's not as if they're off the boil. They are still playing good football and are still hard to beat.

4TH DUNDEE UTD - PLAYED 36 - GOAL DIFFERENCE +9 - POINTS 52

They are the outsiders, for the single reason that they still have to play Rangers and Celtic.

They've got a chance in both games and have already beaten the Old Firm this season.

Dundee United won't fear going to Ibrox. They put in a good display against Rangers in the CIS Cup Final and also have done well in the 3-3 thriller with Rangers at Tannadice.

The sides know that this is the time to get Rangers, with their hectic fixture schedule.

Everyone is fighting for third place but when someone is fighting for something more then they'll fight harder.

5TH HIBERNIAN - PLAYED 36 - GOAL DIFFERENCE +8 - POINTS 52

Again, Hibs are a side who have a chance. They have to play Motherwell in their final game. If they take anything of Celtic at the weekend then they will finish third.

They are a hard side to beat and have come from nowhere to challange for third spot.

Teams that come with a late run often come unnoticed. It has always been about Dundee United and Motherwell but Hibs have pushed up the league table.

They were a fantastic side at the beginning of the season and played some great football under John Collins.

Then they went into freefall a bit and I think Mixu Paatelainen came in at the right time of the season. He brought in some fresh ideas and tactics and he has got to take a lot of credit if they manage to finish third.

6TH ABERDEEN - PLAYED 36 - GOAL DIFFERENCE -9 - POINTS 50

Aberdeen will only be in the race if they beat Motherwell, and that would set them up to play Rangers in the last game of the season.

If they lose at the weekend then they are out of it. They need to take all three points - even a point is not going to be enough for them.

They were always outsiders at the break but they have managed to pull themselves back into contention which I think surprised a lot of people.

Murdo MacLeod was speaking to BBC Sport's Rory Macdonald.