THE PARS’ victory over rock-bottom Brechin on Tuesday has breathed new life into their promotion push.

At present, it appears that themselves, Morton and Queen of the South are battling for one play-off spot but Dundee United could be dragged back into the mix if the Pars can beat them on Saturday. The Terrors are 21/20 to secure the points, a draw is 12/5 and the Pars 27/10 (Betvictor).

United have mustered only five points from their last seven games while Dunfermline have not beaten any side in the top half of the table since October; evidence suggesting neither team can be trusted to win.

Prediction: Dundee United 1 Dunfermline 1.

Dumbarton and Inverness Caledonian Thistle are likely to be fighting out eighth place in the league and avoiding the relegation play-off spot but on Saturday they will be contesting the Challenge Cup final (BBC Alba, 4.15pm). Caley are 5/6 to win the tie in 90 minutes, the Sons are 10/3 (Betvictor) and the draw 5/2 (Betway). Inverness are 4/9 to lift the trophy, Dumbarton 7/4 (Boylesports).

Beating Brechin twice in a week is probably flattering form for the Sons and Caley can prove there is a bigger difference in the teams than one place and four points in the league standings would indicate.

Prediction: Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2 Dumbarton 0.

Away from the domestic action it is international weekend and an opportunity to analyse and wager on whether Equatorial Guinea can overcome the might of Andorra. Less glamorously, Scotland entertain Costa Rica tomorrow (Friday) night (Sky Sports Football, 7.45pm); the Scots are 6/5, a draw 9/4 and the Central American visitors 3/1 (Skybet).

Holland play England at the same time (ITV); the Dutch are 8/5 (Betway), the English 2/1 (Unibet) and it is 23/10 that the game ends in a stalemate.

BT Sport are televising Germany’s clash with Spain (7.45pm), the prices for which are Germany 6/4, a draw 12/5 and Spain 2/1.

Tonight (Thursday), the China Cup (a four-country tournament involving China, Wales, Uruguay and the Czech Republic) commences with the host nation playing Wales (BBC Wales, 11.30am). The Chinese are 19/5 (Skybet), a draw 5/2 and the Welsh 10/11 (Boylesports).

Northern Ireland play South Korea on Saturday (2pm) and are 9/5 (Boylesports) to emerge victorious, South Korea are 2/1 (Betvictor) and it is 9/4 that the spoils are shared.

Two games on Tuesday have also been chalked up: England’s match with Italy (ITV, 8pm) where England are 5/4 (Betway), a draw 12/5 and Italy 23/10 (Betvictor) and Germany’s fixture with Brazil (BT Sport 3, 7.45pm). Germany are 6/5, a draw 12/5 and Brazil 9/4.