THE PARS bid to erase the disappointment of exiting the Scottish Cup last weekend when they face St Mirren in an important league encounter tomorow (Friday) night.

The Buddies are flying high at the top of the table while Athletic need points to keep ahead of the Championship play-off chasing peloton. The match is live on BT Sport 1 (7.45pm kick-off) and the bookmakers' prices are Dunfermline 31/20 (Betvictor), St Mirren 13/8 and a draw 5/2.

The perception that this is a coin-flip contest seems fair based on what the teams have shown in recent weeks.

Prediction: Dunfermline 1 St. Mirren 1.

There is only one live Scottish Premiership match this weekend; Ross County’s home game with Rangers on Sunday afternoon (Sky Sports Football, 2pm). The Dingwall outfit, without a win since early November and mired at the bottom of the league (prior to Wednesday’s home game with Motherwell) are 13/2 to spring a surprise, the Gers are 4/9 (Betfair Sportsbook) and a draw 19/5 (Betfred).

Hibernian suffered a disappointing cup exit at arch-rivals Hearts but sit in a promising fourth place in the league. However, an away match at runaway leaders Celtic on Saturday (3pm) is not likely to improve their points tally. The Bhoys are 1/4 (Skybet), a draw 11/2 and Hibs 12/1.

The FA Cup in England has progressed to the fourth round stage and BBC1 are televising two matches. Tomorrow night (7.55pm kick-off) the typical ‘giant-killing’ tie hits the screens when Yeovil Town take on Manchester United at Huish Park. The Glovers are 25/1 (Coral), a draw 15/2 and United 1/6 (Bet365). The usual range of handicap markets are also available; for instance Manchester United off -2 are 6/5 (Betfair Sportsbook), Yeovil +2 15/8 (Stan James) and a tie 3/1.

Sunday’s fixture (4pm) sees the blue half of Manchester take to the field in a trappy contest at Championship promotion contenders Cardiff City. The Citizens are 3/10, a draw 5/1 and the Bluebirds 21/2 (Betvictor). Manchester City are a shade of odds on at 5/6 (Stan James) in the -1 handicap market; Cardiff are 11/4 (Stan James) and the tie 16/5 (Betfair Sportsbook).

BT Sport get in on the act with four matches; the two more interesting games feature Peterborough United versus Leicester City (BT Sport 2, Saturday 12.30pm) and improving Newport County lining up against Tottenham Hotspur (BT Sport 2, Saturday 5.30pm). The match prices for each game are as follows: Leicester 8/13, a draw 3/1 and Peterborough 5/1 (Bet365); Tottenham 2/11 (Skybet), a draw 7/1 and Newport 18/1.