THE PARS' impressive win last week sent them back to the top of the table but with half the division queueing up behind it is imperative that the three points are claimed at bottom club Brechin City on Saturday.

The Pars are no bigger than 4/6 (Stan James) to get the job done; a draw is 3/1 and City 17/4 (Betvictor). The 4/6 is not a working man's price but the Pars are 9/5 off a -1 handicap with Stan James. Those odds make much greater appeal as Athletic should win the game with something to spare.

Prediction: Brechin 0 Dunfermline 2.

An opportunity arises to monitor two fellow promotion contenders when St Mirren and Queen of the South clash on Sunday (BBC Alba, Sunday, 4pm). The second-placed Buddies are 10/11 (Betfred) to see off their opponents lying in fifth but just two points adrift. The Doonhamers are 29/10 (Betvictor) while the stalemate is 11/4 (Stan James).

Football fans are also treated to an Old Firm derby plus a double dose of Motherwell versus Aberdeen this week. Rangers meet Celtic on Saturday in a noon kick-off (Sky Sports – main event channel) but are 7/2 (Betfair Sportsbook) to topple their fierce rivals. The Bhoys are 5/6 and a draw 3/1 (Betfred).

Celtic off a -1 handicap are 21/10, a tie is 14/5 (Betvictor) and Rangers +1 are 11/10 (Bet365). The layers expect defences to struggle; over 2.5 goals is 4/6 (Betvictor), under 2.5 5/4 (Coral).

The reason Motherwell and Aberdeen are on BT Sport 1 twice in four days is because they meet in a League Cup quarter-final tonight (Thursday, 7.45pm) and then in the Premiership on Sunday (12.15pm).

The match prices are identical for both games: Motherwell are 17/4 (Bet365), a draw 3/1 and Aberdeen 7/10. The Dons are 4/11 (Skybet) to qualify for the semi-finals of the cup while the 'Well are 9/4 (Betvictor).

Looking further ahead, Celtic continue their Champions League odyssey with an away trip to Anderlecht next Wednesday (BT Sport Extra, 7.45pm). This is very likely to be the first match of the battle for third spot and quite frankly, the Bhoys cannot fare any worse than their opening game thrashing. The Purple and Whites are 21/20, a draw 27/10 and Celtic 11/4.