DUNFERMLINE’S recent league form has propelled them up the table and as a result, they are 16/1 in Betvictor’s ‘finish bottom’ market.

Their rivals are priced as St Mirren 1/5, Ayr and Dumbarton both 10/1 and Queen of the South 14/1. The Buddies are seven points adrift but a haul of two wins and two draws from their last five games has indicated sufficient improvement to believe there is mileage in taking on the very short odds.

The Pars look like they have adjusted to the standard required in the second tier and the Sons seem to pick up wins when they need to. Thus the teams most in peril are Ayr and Queen of the South, neither side having won any of their last nine matches. Backing both is not a bad idea but the Doonhamers have at least stopped losing so many games under their new management and could have bottomed out. The Honest Men, however, are fading down the table and apart from a 4-4 draw with Dumbarton on Christmas Eve have not scored more than one goal in a game since mid-September. Tip: Back Ayr to finish bottom of the Championship at 10/1 (Betvictor).

For the tip to gather momentum, it would be helpful if Dunfermline could claim all three points from their visit to Somerset Park on Saturday. The Pars have been clipped from 2/1 to a best price 7/4 (Paddy Power). Ayr are 8/5 (Stan James/Coral) and a draw 12/5. There might only be two points between them at present but the teams are moving in opposite directions.

Prediction: Ayr 0 Dunfermline 1.

The Premiership is on a winter break so BBC Alba screen the only live game (tomorrow, Friday, 7.45pm) when the Championship’s top two meet at Easter Road. Hibernian would relinquish top spot should they lose to Dundee United but the bookmakers view that as unlikely. The Hi-Bees are 17/20 (Betvictor), a draw 5/2 and the Terrors 7/2 (Bet365).

The NFL’s Wildcard Round takes place over the weekend. All the matches are live on Sky Sports 1 and the prices are as follows: Saturday 9.35pm – Houston 5/9 (Bet365) versus Oakland 33/20 (Paddy Power/William Hill). Handicap – Houston -3.5 evens; Oakland +3.5 10/11. Total points – Under 36.5 evens; Over 36.5 10/11.

Prediction: Houston 20 Oakland 13.

Sunday 1.15am – Seattle 3/10 (Bwin) versus Detroit 31/10 (Paddy Power). Handicap – Seattle -8 10/11; Detroit +8 20/21 (Betfred). Total points – Under 43 10/11 (Coral); Over 42.5 evens (Skybet).

Prediction: Seattle 27 Detroit 20.

Sunday 6:05pm: Pittsburgh 2/9 versus Miami 19/5 (Betfair Sportsbook). Handicap: Pittsburgh -10 20/21; Miami +10 10/11. Total Points: Under 47.5 10/11 (Skybet); Over 47 10/11. Prediction: Pittsburgh 28 Miami 20.

Sunday 9:40pm: Green Bay 5/11 versus New York Giants 9/5. Handicap: Green Bay -4.5 20/21; New York Giants +4.5 19/20 (Boylesports). Total Points: Under 45 10/11 (Coral); Over 44.5 10/11. Prediction: Green Bay 21 New York Giants 24.