FALKIRK and Partick’s recent improvement has Dunfermline looking anxiously at the bottom end of the table ahead of the encounter with Inverness at East End Park on Saturday.

The bookmakers believe that the Pars will get back on track as their best price is only 11/10; a draw being 12/5 and a Caley success 5/2 (Hills). The value undoubtedly lies with the away team but Thistle draw far too many games for comfort and it would not be a surprise if they racked up their 13th draw from 24 games. Dunfermline need to show much more before they are worth a bet at these odds.

Prediction: Dunfermline 1 Inverness CT 1.

Two Premiership matches are being televised on Sunday, beginning with in-form Motherwell’s showdown with Hearts at Fir Park (BT Sport 1, 12.15pm). The Well have won five consecutive league games and are 2/1 (Betfred) to make it six. The Jambos are 8/5 (Betfred) and a stalemate 9/4 (Bet365). Kilmarnock must beat Celtic (Sky Sports Football, 4pm) if they are to harbour any ambitions of maintaining their challenge for the title but the Bhoys are 8/15 (Boylesports) to do the business at Rugby Park. Killie are 6/1 and a draw 7/2.

Luckless St Johnstone, fresh from three beatings by Celtic, must now take on their arch rivals at Ibrox on Saturday (3pm kick-off). The bookies figure the Perth outfit will not fare any better; Rangers are 4/11 (Skybet), Saints 9/1 (Betfair Sportsbook) and a draw 9/2.

The Scottish Challenge Cup has reached the semi-final stage despite having an 1880s feel to it after Bohemians failed to fulfil their fixture against East Fife and consequently withdrew from the competition. The Fifers probably will not be as lucky when they travel to tournament favourites Ross County tomorrow (Friday) night (BBC Alba/BT Sport 3, 7.45pm); the Staggies are 1/5, a draw 11/2 and East Fife a somewhat dismissive 16/1 (Hills).

The second semi takes place on Saturday evening and features Connah’s Quay hosting Edinburgh City (S4C, 7.25pm). The Nomads are 5/6 (Boylesports), a draw 14/5 (Bet365) and a City victory 3/1.

Celtic have progressed to the last 32 stage of the Europa League but have a daunting tie against Valencia tonight (Thursday, BT Sport 3, 8pm). The first leg is at Parkhead but the home side are still outsiders to win the game; Valencia are 23/20, a draw 12/5 and Celtic 13/5. Los Che are 2/7 (Skybet) to progress over the two games while the Bhoys are 10/3 (Betvictor).

The remaining first legs of the Champions League last 16 ties are again covered by BT Sport next week, all 8pm kick-offs. Tuesday’s games are Liverpool versus Bayern Munich at Anfield (BT Sport 2) and Lyon taking on Barcelona at the Groupama Stadium (BT Sport 3). The prices are Liverpool 21/20 (Unibet/Betfred), a draw 29/10 (Betfair Sportsbook) and Bayern 13/5; Lyon 4/1, a draw 33/10 (Betvictor) and Barca 7/10.

On Wednesday, heavyweights Atletico Madrid and Juventus meet at the Estadio Metropolitano (BT Sport 3) and Atletico are 7/4 (Hills), a draw 21/10 and Juve 2/1 (Betfred).

Manchester City travel to the Veltins-Arena where they are expected to make short work of Schalke (BT Sport 2). The Citizens are 1/3 (Betfred), the Miners 10/1 (Hills) while it is 5/1 honours remain even.