HOPEFULLY, the Pars will have been perfecting their penalty-taking this week ahead of their encounter with fellow early strugglers Morton on Saturday.

The clash at Cappielow features one team that has lost four league games on the trot against another that has not won at all yet and a nervy contest beckons.

The bookmakers price it up as follows: Morton 6/4 (Betway), a draw 13/5 (Ladbrokes/Betvictor) and the Pars 15/8 (Stan James). Neither side has shown any league form that warrants parting the hard-earned on them so opposing both of them looks the way to go.

Prediction: Morton 1 Dunfermline 1.

BBC Alba are back televising Championship matches and on this occasion they have picked out a relatively tasty one; Falkirk versus Dundee United (Saturday 5.15pm kick-off). The Bairns are 21/10 (Betvictor), a draw 13/5 (Ladbrokes) and the Terrors 13/10. Falkirk started slowly but winning their last two games has propelled them up the table and at bigger than 2/1 are the value to complete a hat-trick of league victories.

Prediction: Falkirk 2 Dundee United 1.

Two Scottish Premier league fixtures attract the attention of the cameras on Sunday. The lunchtime game (Sky Sports 2, 12pm) features Dundee and Aberdeen, two sides in the middle of a congested league table. The Dark Blues, despite home advantage, are 11/4 (Betvictor/Betway), a draw 5/2 and Aberdeen 21/20. Inverness are also underdogs at home but understandably so as they face Celtic (BT Sport, 3pm). The Bhoys are 2/5 (Stan James), the stalemate 41/10 (Unibet) and Caley 17/2.

On Saturday, Rangers host Ross County in a 3pm game. The Gers are 1/2 (Betvictor/Hills), County 15/2 (Betfred) and the spoils being shared 18/5 (Betvictor).

In tennis, the Davis Cup has reached the semi-final stage and Great Britain’s match with Argentina is being covered on the BBC, starting tomorrow (Friday) at 1pm.

The Brits are fancied strongly by the layers to make the final as they are 1/3 (Betway) while Argentina are 3/1 (Skybet). The other semi is not being televised but France are 4/7 (Skybet) and Croatia 11/8 (Paddy Power).

Great Britain led the outright betting, albeit narrowly at 13/10 (Boylesports). France are 7/4, Croatia 11/2 (Ladbrokes) and Argentina are 12/1.