Dunfermline v Falkirk: James McPake looks ahead to League One clash

The two rivals go head-to-head for the third time this season, with Athletic hoping to repeat November's win at the Falkirk Stadium on home turf.

In September, the teams drew at KDM Group East End Park, and Dunfermline go into the game still top of the pile in League One.

With 39 points, they're four better off than second placed FC Edinburgh, who have played a game more, and hold a seven point advantage over the third-top Bairns.

A large crowd - the North West Stand is sold out - is anticipated and, ahead of the match, McPake said: "Like every game, we'll have a plan.

"Sometimes it's more evident, particularly when you come out and speak about. I don't think that was just me - I think John McGlynn (Falkirk manager) came out and spoke about it as well. That got a bit of publicity then, but I don't think I can be disrespectful to any club and say we just turn up and play.

"Again, it's something we did a lot of in our previous job, but we had this squad from the very start, minus the loan additions, and we had the chance to really hammer it down, basically what we're looking for.

"I think if you look at most games, the way we play, it's quite evident. You see the patterns, you see all the tactical stuff that we have been working on, but then, you can win a game on a set play, you can lose a game on a set play, it can be a referee's decision for or against, a bad decision from the coaching staff, a bad decision from a player, or vice-versa from the other team.

"We have been working on a plan but that's all it is; you then pick 11 players and you ask them to carry it out. You ask them to work really hard, give you everything, and that's the beauty of this group. That's what they've been doing, and they'll continue to do that, I believe.

"They've been excellent carrying out things we ask but, above everything else, they've worked harder than most teams when it came to that, and we need to continue to do that.

"If we win the game, it will be a great game plan again. If we lose the game, I'll never listen to Dave (Mackay, McPake's number two) again!"

More than 7,000 fans packed into the Falkirk Stadium - including almost 2,000 Dunfermline followers - in November, and tomorrow's match looks set for another large attendance.

McPake, who revealed Kevin O'Hara could be in his squad having been out since September through injury, continued: "The atmosphere has been great in the two games I've managed against them for Dunfermline.

"That adds to it, of course it does, but I think when you strip everything back there are three points available, a good start to the new year for a set of fans and a football club. We just need to play the game; we will just play the game.

"It's quickly forgotten about what the results becomes; if you get a positive result, you move on to the next one, if you don't, you dwell on it for a few days and then you try and put it right.

"That's not rubbishing the game or saying it's not important. It is important, but it is equally as important than the Kelty game last week, or the Edinburgh game that follows it.

"We're confident, we're in a good place. We've lost one game so far in the league, the other loss was to Ross County, a Premiership club. We've got every right to be confident.

"Falkirk beat Queen of the South, so they'll come here confident. They'll come and try and win the game, which they did here [last time]. And we'll try and win.

"At the end of the day, unless it's a draw, someone will go away happy and we want it to be Dunfermline Athletic fans because they've been excellent.

"They've followed us home and away. They've got right behind the players, and they are a big part of the reason the first half of the season went OK. But it's just OK at the minute.

"We've got Edinburgh behind us and then Falkirk and Airdrie."

Tickets for tomorrow's game remain on sale, with seats available in the Norrie McCathie and Main Stands.

To buy yours, click here.