ROSS COUNTY kept the Pars’ faint play-off hopes alive by defeating Inverness on Tuesday but Stevie Crawford's men will still have to win the vast majority if not all their remaining six matches to overhaul their Highland rivals.

Partick Thistle are Saturday’s opponents at Firhill probably still smarting from a 3-0 drubbing Athletic gave them at East End Park a few weeks ago. The bookies believe this match will be much tighter: Dunfermline are 31/20, a draw 12/5 and Partick 9/5 (Bet365). This is not an easy game to call and it is hard to disagree with the prices but with both teams needing the points it could be a surprisingly open affair.

Prediction: Partick 2 Dunfermline 3.

The Edinburgh derby takes centre stage in the Premiership (BT Sport 1, Saturday 12.30pm) and with only two points separating the fierce rivals, it promises to be a spicy encounter. Hearts are 5/4 to claim a home win, Hibernian are 23/10 (Betfair Sportsbook) and it is 12/5 (Boylesports/Betway) that honours end even.

Motherwell can just about sneak into the top six but must beat Rangers at Fir Park on Sunday (Sky Sports Football, 12.30pm). The Well are 11/2 (Bet365/Skybet), the Gers 8/13 and a draw 16/5 (Skybet).

Celtic play Livingston in a Saturday 3pm contest and are 2/11 (Ladbrokes) to garner another three points. Livi are 19/1 (Betfair Sportsbook) and a draw 7/1 (Bet365).

BBC Scotland continue their Friday night Championship coverage tomorrow and the cameras are focusing on the top-of-the-table clash between Ross County and Dundee United (7.05pm). The Staggies are 6/5, a draw 12/5 and the Terrors 9/4.

The Champions League has now reached the quarter-final stage. Manchester City head the outright list at 23/10 (Paddy Power), Juventus are 7/2 (Bet365/Betway) along with Barcelona, Liverpool are 4/1 and the other four are considered no-hopers, headed by Manchester United at 20/1; Tottenham Hotspur 28/1 (Unibet), Ajax 33/1 and Porto 100/1 (Paddy Power).

All four matches will be televised on either BT Sport 1 or 2 and kick-off at 8pm. Tuesday’s matches are Liverpool versus Porto at Anfield and Tottenham hosting Manchester City. The Reds are short odds to both claim a first-leg advantage and to qualify for the semi-finals. The latter prices are Liverpool 2/9 (Betvictor) and Porto 7/2; the 90-minute odds are Liverpool 1/3 (Skybet), a draw 17/4 and Porto 10/1 (Hills/Betvictor).

The second game has a similarly one-sided look about it; Manchester City are also 2/9 to advance over the two games while Spurs are 15/4 (Boylesports/Betway). The first leg prices are Spurs 7/2, a draw 3/1 and the Citizens 3/4.

Wednesday sees Manchester United take on Barcelona and the Catalonia giants are 2/7 to see off their English rivals while United are 16/5 (Betway). The odds for the first tie at Old Trafford are United 27/10 (Hills), a stalemate also 27/10 (Betvictor) and Barca 21/20.

The only encounter that does not feature an English side is Ajax versus Juventus in the other Wednesday fixture. Juve are 2/7 (Paddy Power) to overcome their Dutch opponents while de Godenzonen are 10/3 (Betvictor). The prices for the game at the Johan Cruijff Arena are Ajax 13/5 (Boylesports), a draw 12/5 (Betvictor) and Juve 6/5 (Hills/Betway).