THE Irn-Bru Cup is into the second round stage meaning that teams from all over Britain enter the fray.

The Pars, fresh from their drubbing by Inverness CT now have an unenviable prospect of travelling down to Hertfordshire to meet English National League side Boreham Wood in a Saturday 1pm kick-off.

Best of luck to the bookies (and tipsters) in assessing this one but the prices are Wood 11/8 (Boylesports); a draw 13/5 (Betfred) and the Pars 7/4. The overriding feeling is that an 850-mile round trip for a 1pm fixture is a dreadful spot for any team, let alone one struggling for form.

Prediction: Boreham Wood 2 Dunfermline 1.

Bet365 to their credit have priced up an outright market for the competition and the leading fancies are as follows (each-way terms ½ 1,2): Ross County 6/1, Dundee United 7/1, Partick Thistle 7/1, Coleraine 12/1, TNS 12/1, Dunfermline 14/1, Falkirk 14/1, Bohemians (Dublin) 16/1, Queen of the South 20/1, 25/1 bar.

The TNS versus Queen’s Park tie is being screened on S4C (Saturday, 7.35pm) and the prices are TNS 4/9 (Boylesports/Betway); a draw 7/2 and Queen’s Park 13/2 (Betvictor).

The inaugural UEFA Nations League gets under way this weekend. Whether this tournament will be a mainstay in the calendar or fade like butter on hot toast is open to debate but Scotland will be attempting to top a group that features Israel and Albania; the prices being Scotland 13/8 (Bet365/Betway),Israel 13/5 (888Sport) and Albania 5/2 (Betvictor).

Scotland do not play this weekend but the other British countries are involved. Wales play Republic of Ireland tonight (Thursday, 7.45pm) and are even money (Paddy Power), a draw is 21/10 (Bet365) while Eire are 7/2 (Hills).

A tight tussle is in prospect when Northern Ireland and Bosnia Herzegovina do battle (Saturday 2pm); both the Irish and the draw are at 2/1 and Bosnia 17/10. England host Spain later that day at 7.45pm. England are 15/8 (Betway), a draw 11/5 (Hills) and Spain 9/5 (Boylesports).

The NFL regular season starts tomorrow (Friday) and New England are expected to return to the Superbowl winners enclosure albeit in a very closely-knit betting heat. The Patriots are 13/2 (Skybet), Pittsburgh and Philadelphia both 10/1, Los Angeles Rams (with 188bet), Minnesota and Green Bay all 12/1, New Orleans 16/1, Atlanta 20/1 and the remainder are priced at 22/1 or bigger.

The Americans love their stats so, unsurprisingly, there is an enormous range of betting markets available, ranging from what the Arizona Cardinals total wins for the season will be to whether Detroit Quarterback Matt Stafford’s total passing yards for the season will be over or under 4,376.5.

You can back in favour or against a particular team and the tip is to oppose Tampa Bay in a horrible division featuring New Orleans, Atlanta and Carolina. All those teams are likely to win at least half their games whereas the regressive Buccaneers will do well to better a 4 win, 12 loss record. 4/5 with Hills that Tampa finish last in their division does not sound like a road to riches price but the true odds should be around 8/15 or 1/2.

Tip: Tampa Bay finish 4th in NFC South at 4/5 (Hills).