DUNFERMLINE'S alarming freefall out of the play-off places continues, their last league success was at home to Ayr on 6th December, their opponents in a reverse encounter on Saturday.

The Honest Men are in even worse form, mired in a slump of no wins in 11 that has them entrenched in second-bottom position in the standings. The bookies chalk Ayr up at 23/10 (Stan James), the draw 11/4 and the Pars 11/10 (Betvictor). A combined two wins in 21 games is hardly bet-compelling on either struggler, so perhaps the best option is to oppose them both and take the draw.

Prediction: Ayr 1 Dunfermline 1.

The Scottish League Cup semi-finals, both staged at Hampden Park, are the highlight of the weekend’s action. However, only the Old Firm contest is televised, on BBC Scotland at 1.30pm Sunday lunchtime.

Celtic are fancied to emerge victorious without too much fuss; 4/11 to win in 90 minutes and 1/6 to overcome Rangers via any method. The Gers are 15/2 (Coral) to win in normal time and 9/2 (Bet365/Hills) to make the final. A 90-minute draw is 9/2 (Bet365).

Dundee United versus Aberdeen is a Saturday 3pm kick-off and the bookies predict a close game. Aberdeen are 11/8, the draw 12/5 and, courtesy of Paddy Power, Dundee United 21/10. The Dons are 8/11 to book their place in the final whereas the Terrors are 21/20 (Stan James).

BT Sport screen Partick Thistle’s Premiership home game with St Mirren live tomorrow (Friday) night. The Jags are a somewhat appealing 9/10 (Betvictor/Stan James), the Buddies 18/5 (Hills) and a stalemate 13/5.

BBC Alba continue their Saturday teatime action where Championship leaders Hearts visit Alloa. The Jam Tarts are 2/5 (Boylesports/Coral) to claim the points, the Wasps 15/2 (Betvictor) while it is 19/5 (Stan James) that the spoils are shared.

America’s sporting showpiece, the Superbowl, takes place in Arizona late on Sunday night. Sky Sports 1 and Channel 4 offer the live TV coverage, with Radio 5 live also broadcasting the event.

Seattle Seahawks, the defending champions, compete against New England Patriots in a battle that the bookmakers cannot separate, Betvictor pricing the combatants up at 20/21 each. It follows that the handicaps mirror one another, thus if you fancy Seattle at -4 or the Patriots at -4, Boylesports offer either eventuality at 6/4. Total points, another popular market, are posted at over 47.5 or under 48 10/11. Once again, if you fancy a total some way from this mark, the bookmakers are accommodating; for example Bet365 are 23/10 over 56.5 points and 27/10 under 39.5.

Seattle might not want to change the world but they will be looking for New England and a fearsome defence, together with the deflated football saga hanging over the Patriots, could ensure they get it done.

Prediction: Seattle 27 New England 19.

Excelebration (with no Frankel to worry about) can land the Mile at 6/4 and the performances of Roger Charlton’s Dundonnell in the Juvenile Turf Classic and Fame and Glory in the Marathon feature.

DUNFERMLINE'S alarming freefall out of the play-off places continues, their last league success was at home to Ayr on 6th December, their opponents in a reverse encounter on Saturday.

The Honest Men are in even worse form, mired in a slump of no wins in 11 that has them entrenched in second-bottom position in the standings. The bookies chalk Ayr up at 23/10 (Stan James), the draw 11/4 and the Pars 11/10 (Betvictor). A combined two wins in 21 games is hardly bet-compelling on either struggler, so perhaps the best option is to oppose them both and take the draw.

Prediction: Ayr 1 Dunfermline 1.

The Scottish League Cup semi-finals, both staged at Hampden Park, are the highlight of the weekend’s action. However, only the Old Firm contest is televised, on BBC Scotland at 1.30pm Sunday lunchtime.

Celtic are fancied to emerge victorious without too much fuss; 4/11 to win in 90 minutes and 1/6 to overcome Rangers via any method. The Gers are 15/2 (Coral) to win in normal time and 9/2 (Bet365/Hills) to make the final. A 90-minute draw is 9/2 (Bet365).

Dundee United versus Aberdeen is a Saturday 3pm kick-off and the bookies predict a close game. Aberdeen are 11/8, the draw 12/5 and, courtesy of Paddy Power, Dundee United 21/10. The Dons are 8/11 to book their place in the final whereas the Terrors are 21/20 (Stan James).

BT Sport screen Partick Thistle’s Premiership home game with St Mirren live tomorrow (Friday) night. The Jags are a somewhat appealing 9/10 (Betvictor/Stan James), the Buddies 18/5 (Hills) and a stalemate 13/5.

BBC Alba continue their Saturday teatime action where Championship leaders Hearts visit Alloa. The Jam Tarts are 2/5 (Boylesports/Coral) to claim the points, the Wasps 15/2 (Betvictor) while it is 19/5 (Stan James) that the spoils are shared.

America’s sporting showpiece, the Superbowl, takes place in Arizona late on Sunday night. Sky Sports 1 and Channel 4 offer the live TV coverage, with Radio 5 live also broadcasting the event.

Seattle Seahawks, the defending champions, compete against New England Patriots in a battle that the bookmakers cannot separate, Betvictor pricing the combatants up at 20/21 each. It follows that the handicaps mirror one another, thus if you fancy Seattle at -4 or the Patriots at -4, Boylesports offer either eventuality at 6/4. Total points, another popular market, are posted at over 47.5 or under 48 10/11. Once again, if you fancy a total some way from this mark, the bookmakers are accommodating; for example Bet365 are 23/10 over 56.5 points and 27/10 under 39.5.

Seattle might not want to change the world but they will be looking for New England and a fearsome defence, together with the deflated football saga hanging over the Patriots, could ensure they get it done.

Prediction: Seattle 27 New England 19.

Excelebration (with no Frankel to worry about) can land the Mile at 6/4 and the performances of Roger Charlton’s Dundonnell in the Juvenile Turf Classic and Fame and Glory in the Marathon feature.