THE PARS are as short as 1/20 with bookmakers Betvictor to finish in the top four and thus make the play-offs. Considering they are only five points ahead of fifth-placed Morton having played a game more, those odds might seem short enough but six points should be garnered from their remaining home games with Brechin and Dumbarton and that would virtually get them over the line.

The Hedgemen visit East End Park on Saturday having mustered only four draws from their 32 games to date. Moreover, City are mired in a 13-game losing streak, having notched only three goals in that period.

Given those gloomy statistics for their opponents, it is perhaps surprising the Pars are as big as 1/5 to beat Brechin; a draw is 11/2 and City 14/1 (Betvictor). On the handicaps, Dunfermline -1 is 13/20 (Betway), Brechin +1 10/3 and a tie 14/5; Dunfermline -2 is 15/8 (Paddy Power), Brechin +2 6/5 (Betway) and a tie again 14/5. To the part-timers’ credit a -54 goal difference with that dismal record is not too bad and so far they have not been beaten by more than four goals, suggesting they have the work ethic to make a game of it.

Prediction: Dunfermline 2 Brechin 0.

The Scottish Cup semi-finals at Hampden Park are the centrepiece of the weekend action. Celtic are 4/6 (Betvictor) to win the competition for the 38th time, Rangers are 5/1 (Ladbrokes), Aberdeen 6/1 and Motherwell 9/1 (both prices 188bet). The two lesser-fancied sides meet on Saturday (BBC Scotland, 12.15pm) and Aberdeen are 23/20 (Betvictor) to complete the job inside 90 minutes, whereas both the draw and a Motherwell victory have been chalked up at 12/5. The Dons are 4/7 to progress to the final and the ’Well 5/4. The Old Firm clash takes place on Sunday afternoon (Sky Sports Football, 2.30pm). Celtic are 8/11 (Skybet), a draw 3/1 and Rangers 9/2. The Bhoys are 3/10 and the Gers 12/5 to make the final.

The Europa League quarter-finals conclude tonight (Thursday) and all four home teams have first-leg deficits to overturn. None of them are predicted to do so, Marseille’s 3/1 (Unibet) to advance to the semi-finals at the expense of RB Leipzig being the shortest price on offer. CSKA Moscow are a dismissive 33/1 to retrieve a 4-1 deficit against Arsenal (live on BT Sport 2, 8.05pm). Indeed, Arsenal are favoured to build on that lead and score a victory on the night; the Gunners are 21/20 (Boylesports), while both a draw and a CSKA Moscow win are available at 14/5.