THE Pars have slipped to third from bottom in the Championship after back-to-back defeats and need to return to winning ways against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday.

Caley have accumulated five points from their three fixtures so far but are marginal outsiders in this contest according to the bookmakers: Dunfermline are 7/5 (Betvictor), a draw 13/5 (Hills) and Inverness 9/5.

The Pars have leaked seven goals in their last two matches and until they sort those defensive problems out they cannot be backed with any confidence.

Prediction: Dunfermline 2 Inverness CT 2.

The first Old Firm clash of the season takes place at Parkhead on Sunday (Sky Sports Football, 12pm) and Celtic’s shaky start has encouraged the bookies to lay less lop-sided prices than might otherwise have been the case. The Bhoys are 7/10 (Skybet), a draw 16/5 (Hills) and Rangers 9/2 (Bet365).

Celtic and Rangers’ continuing involvement in the Europa League has necessitated their derby match being shunted onto a Sunday but neither are certainties to progress tonight (Thursday).

Rangers travel to Bashkortostan defending a 1-0 first leg lead and the match prices are as follows: FC Ufa 8/5; a draw 23/10 (Bet365) and Rangers 2/1 (Hills). Rangers are 1/4 (Bet365) and Ufa 10/3 (Betfair Sportsbook) to qualify for the next round.

Celtic will be endeavouring to improve on a 1-1 draw obtained in Lithuania when they welcome FC Suduva back to Parkhead. The Bhoys are not expected to slip up: Celtic are 1/7 (Bet365); a draw 9/1 (Hills) and Suduva 40/1 (Coral). A -2 handicap brings the teams closer together; Celtic are 11/10 (Paddy Power), a tie 29/10 (Betbright) and Suduva +2 2/1 (Betvictor).

At the time of writing, Andy Murray is safely through to round two of the US Open but Skybet still consider him a 50/1 shot to win the title. Rafael Nadal is currently the 5/2 favourite, Novak Djokovic 13/5, Roger Federer 6/1 (Skybet), Juan Martin del Potro 14/1 and Alexander Zverev 15/1 (Skybet).

The leading fancies in the ladies' event are Serena Williams at 9/2 (Boylesports), Angelique Kerber 7/1 and Sloane Stephens 8/1 while Petra Kvitova, Garbine Muguruza and Elina Svitolina are all at 14/1.