THE PARS still occupy the relegation play-off spot after failing to beat Ayr last week and on Saturday face in-form Greenock Morton at East End Park.

The Pars have only lost once in their last five games but the Ton are unbeaten in seven and are within hailing distance of the leaders. The bookies, however, edge preference to Athletic: Dunfermline are 13/8 (Paddy Power), a draw 13/5 (Bet365) and Morton 9/5 (Betvictor).

The Pars have enjoyed an upturn in results but they are still 10 points behind Morton, having played a game more. Thus it is difficult to understand, even with home advantage, why the Pars are favourites and the choices must lie between a draw and an away win. Choosing between them is difficult and thus the bigger-priced option is the call.

Prediction: Dunfermline 1 Morton 1.

Friday night live action returns to the Scottish Premiership with Celtic making the short journey to Firhill (BT Sport 1, 7.45pm). A poor run of one point in four games has caused Partick to slip back into the bottom two and the layers fancy the Bhoys to heap on more misery. Celtic are 2/7 (Hills), a draw 6/1 (Bet365) and the Jags 12/1 (Betfair Sportsbook). The Glaswegian powerhouses are still odds on with a -1 handicap; Celtic are 8/11 (Paddy Power), a tie 3/1 and Partick at +1 10/3 (Bet365). The prices only balance out at the -2 handicap mark; Celtic are 15/8 (Paddy Power), a tie 10/3 (Bet365) and Partick 23/20 (Coral).

Rangers versus Hearts, despite being second against third, is not televised and takes place on Saturday at 3pm. The Gers are 11/12 (Unibet), a draw 11/4 (Betvictor) and the Jam Tarts 16/5 (Bet365).

BBC Alba have chosen to screen a Division One game at their regular 5.15pm timeslot, selecting Brechin City, who have lost three of their last four games, at home to East Fife, winless in seven. Whether this clash boosts their viewing figures remains to be seen but City are 21/20 to claim the points, the Fifers 16/5 (Paddy Power) and a stalemate 13/5.

The NFL regular season enters its climax with all the teams having four games to play. If you followed the column’s advice by backing Oakland to exceed eight-and-a-half wins for the season and that Cleveland would not get to five you are sitting pretty as the Raiders have had 10 wins so far and the Browns none at all. However, the Californians face a tough divisional match at Kansas this week (Sky Sports 1, Friday 1.25am). The Chiefs sit one game behind Oakland and have already beaten their opponents earlier in the season. The bookmakers price it up as Kansas 4/7 and Oakland 8/5 (Hills). The dreaded field goal handicap rears its ugly head; Kansas are 5/6 (Betfred) at the -3; the Raiders 21/20 +3. Total points are set at over/under 46 at 10/11 each.

The summary is that the bookmakers have this one right and there is no angle in which to advise a bet.

Prediction: Kansas 24 Oakland 21.