THE PARS return to league action on Saturday with a home game against third-bottom Dumbarton.

Both teams come into the match having won only one of their last five league games but the bookmakers firmly believe the Pars will end that uncomfortable run of form at the weekend.

Dunfermline are 2/5 (Stan James), a draw 9/2 (Bet365/Betfred) and the Sons 7/1 (Betvictor). There would be many worse 9/2 shots than the stalemate in this match but Dunfermline can scupper those seeking out a value wager by recording a narrow victory.

Prediction: Dunfermline 1 Dumbarton 0.

The first major domestic final occurs on Sunday as overwhelming favourites Celtic bid to claim the League Cup against Motherwell (BT Sport 1, 3pm).

The Bhoys are 1/9 to lift the trophy and 1/4 to do so in normal time; whereas the ’Well’s equivalent prices are 8/1 and 12/1 respectively. A 90-minute draw is 11/2. Handicap betting is available: for instance Celtic -2 is 17/10 (Unibet), Motherwell +2 5/4 (Coral) and a tie 16/5 (Hills).

Inevitably, it is Celtic players that dominate the top of the first goalscorer market: Moussa Dembele, Odsonne Edouard and Russell Griffiths are all 3/1 (Hills), Scott Sinclair 4/1, Callum McGregor and Tomas Rogic 5/1 and Patrick Roberts 6/1. Betway lay the biggest prices for the leading Motherwell hopes; Lewis Moult 17/2, Ryan Bowman 14/1, Alex Fisher 16/1 and Andy Rose 25/1.

The Celtic versus Motherwell league encounter has necessarily been shunted back to Wednesday but the SPL programme is otherwise unaffected and two games are live.

Basement boys Dundee host Rangers in tomorrow (Friday) night (BT Sport 1, 7.45pm) where the Gers are expected to add to the Dark Blues’ troubles. Rangers are 3/5 (Skybet), a draw 16/5 and Dundee 5/1 (Hills).

The Sunday lunchtime clash (Sky Sports Football 12.30pm) sees Kilmarnock meet Aberdeen at Rugby Park. Once more, the visitors are expected to take home the three points; the Dons are 17/20 (Hills), a draw 13/5 (188bet) and Killie 7/2.