THE battle for fifth place in the Scottish Championship reaches its denouement on Saturday when Queen of the South and Dunfermline clash at Palmerston Park.

A victory for the Pars would also achieve a 12 win, 12 draw, 12 loss record but this symmetrical outcome is not the most likely according to the bookmakers.

The Doonhamers are 13/10, a draw 12/5 and Athletic 21/10 (Betvictor). Dunfermline’s current form is marginally superior although the game could easily boil down to which side wants it more. In either case, the value does lie with the Pars achieving the even record.

Prediction: Queen of the South 0 Dunfermline 1.

There are two televised Scottish Premiership matches over the weekend, where the battle at the bottom is much more interesting than the top.

Sky Sports 2 are featuring Inverness, who are surely in the last chance saloon for avoiding bottom place, at home to fellow strugglers Hamilton (Saturday, 12.15pm). Caley are 23/20, a draw 12/5 and the Accies 11/4 (Bet365).

BT Sport 1 is covering the Partick Thistle versus Rangers game on Sunday (12.15pm). In this unappetising contest, the Gers are 23/20 (Boylesports), a draw 12/5 and the Jags 13/5.

Celtic are getting ever nearer the 100-point milestone and the bookmakers make them 2/9 to reach 97 points on Saturday (3pm, not live). Opponents St Johnstone are 14/1 and a stalemate 11/2.

Manchester United embark on their Europa League semi-final match with mid-table Spanish side Celta Vigo at the Balaidos tonight (Thursday, BT Sport 2, 8.05pm). United are 7/4 (Betfred), a draw 9/4 (Betbright) and the Celestes 21/10 (Ladbrokes). The Reds are 2/5 to progress to the final, whilst Celta are 5/2.

The horse racing calendar has ticked round to Guineas weekend at Newmarket. The 2000 Guineas is on Saturday and Churchill heads the betting at 13/8; Barney Roy and Al Wukair are both 4/1, Eminent 5/1, Dream Castle 16/1, Rivet 33/1, Lancaster Bomber 40/1, Larchmont Lad and Spirit of Valor 50/1, Peace Envoy and Law and Order 66/1 and Top Score 100/1.

The 1000 Guineas takes place on the following day where 2/1 favourite Rhododendron will be hoping to nip the opposition’s challenge in the bud. Daban is 6/1, Fair Eva 7/1, Winter, Hydrangea and Talaayeb are all at 14/1 and Dabyah 16/1. The other 11 horses currently declared are available at 20/1 or bigger.