THE PARS’ Championship aspirations continue to freefall and second-placed St Mirren must believe they are playing Athletic at the right time when the teams clash at St Mirren Park on Saturday.

The bookmakers make the Buddies even money shots, a draw 13/5 and the Pars 3/1 (Hills). Until Dunfermline show signs that they are back to the form of two months ago, they cannot be fancied for a tough fixture like this one.

Prediction: St Mirren 2 Dunfermline 0.

Two games in the Scottish Premiership have attracted the television cameras, starting with a Saturday lunchtime game involving Aberdeen and Hibernian (BT Sport 1, 12.30pm).

Back-to-back defeats against Rangers saw the Dons cede second spot in the table to their Glaswegian rivals and this game is now a third versus fourth encounter. Aberdeen are 6/4, a draw 12/5 and Hibs 15/8 (Betfair Sportsbook).

Hearts are the latest side to try and stop the Celtic juggernaut in a Sunday early afternoon fixture (Sky Sports Football, 12.30pm). The Bhoys are 2/5 (Betbright) to come away from Edinburgh with the spoils, the Jambos 8/1 and a draw 7/2 (Bet365).

Rangers face St Johnstone in a Saturday 3pm non-live game. The visitors’ early season form has evaporated and they now sit in mid-table; as such the bookies readily oppose them. The Gers are 2/5 (Skybet), a draw 18/5 (Betfair Sportsbook) and the Saints 17/2 (Betfred).

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year is resolved this weekend and Anthony Joshua is the 2/7 favourite with Coral to land the coveted prize. Lewis Hamilton is 8/1 (Bet365/Ladbrokes); Chris Froome 11/1 (Bet365/Boylesports); Mo Farah 40/1 (Bet365), Harry Kane and Jonathan Rea 50/1 and the other six contenders are 200/1 or bigger.

The lop-sided nature of the market has led to companies putting up ‘betting without Anthony Joshua’ and top three finish as alternative wagering opportunities.