THE third round of matches in the Championship take place on Saturday and Dunfermline travel to newly-promoted Ayr United.

The Honest Men have secured four points from their two matches and recorded an impressive 3-0 success at Dundee in the League Cup, so this promises to be a tricky encounter.

Dunfermline are 6/4 (Skybet) to collect the three points; Ayr are 21/10 (Bet365) and a draw 13/5 (Hills). The bookies still lay Ayr at 40/1 to win the title so the expectancy is that they will fall away and ultimately be scrapping to stay in the division. For now, though, this is a game where a point would not be a bad result and 13/5 is a fair enough price on that outcome.

Prediction: Ayr 1 Dunfermline 1.

Only one Premier League game is being televised this weekend; rock-bottom Motherwell hosting Rangers at Fir Park (BT Sport, Sunday 12.15pm). The Gers are predicted to build on their promising start; they are 8/13 (Skybet), a draw 17/5 (Hills) while the ’Well are 5/1 (Bet365).

Celtic’s demotion to the Europa League has also necessitated a Sunday game and they take on Hamilton at Parkhead in a 3pm non-live fixture. The Bhoys are expected to be untroubled; the prices being Celtic 1/8, Hamilton 28/1 (Ladbrokes) and the points being shared 9/1 (Betfair Sportsbook).

The Europa League is at the third qualifying round stage and both Celtic and Rangers ought to be confident of making further progress. The Bhoys travel to Lithuanian outfit FK Suduva Marijampole (tonight, Thursday, 6.05pm) and are 4/9 (Betway) to run up a first leg advantage; Suduva are 8/1 and a draw 18/5 (Hills). Rangers play FC Ufa at Ibrox later in the evening (7.45pm) and are 4/6; a draw is 11/4 (Hills) and FC Ufa 5/1 (Bet365). Rangers are 8/11 (Betfair Sportsbook) to advance, FC Ufa 5/4 (Bet365).

The US Open tennis championships have started and Andy Murray is rated a 28/1 shot with Boylesports to win the event on his return from injury. The other leading players are priced up as follows (each way terms ½ odds place 1,2): Novak Djokovic 11/4 (188Sport), Rafael Nadal 4/1, Roger Federer 11/2 (Paddy Power/Betfair Sportsbook), Alexander Zverev 10/1 (Bet365/Boylesports), Juan Martin del Potro 14/1 and Marin Cilic 18/1. The ladies' event is 6/1 the field: Serena Williams 6/1, Simona Halep 7/1, Angelique Kerber 15/2, Sloane Stephens 11/1 (Betvictor), Garbine Muguruza and Petra Kvitova both 16/1. Further down the list, Maria Sharapova is at 28/1 and Johanna Konta 40/1.

Perpignan-based Catalans Dragons are bidding to be the first non-British team to win the Rugby League Challenge Cup, a tournament that was first played in 1896. The final is being played at Wembley (BBC1, Saturday 3pm) and the French side are 2/1 (Betfair Sportsbook) to emerge victorious; potential party-poopers Warrington are 8/15 (Skybet) and a draw 28/1 (Boylesports). Bet365 price up the handicap as Warrington -6 10/11; Catalans +6 11/10 and a tie 16/1.