DUNFERMLINE are languishing at the bottom of the Championship and are now a dismissive 33/1 for the title following last week’s narrow home defeat to Inverness, their fifth successive defeat in all competitions.

The Pars travel to Firhill to meet Partick Thistle, the only other winless team in the division, and the bookies make the hosts 8/5, Dunfermline 9/5 and a draw 23/10 (Skybet).

These teams were not perceived as relegation strugglers prior to the campaign but they need to get their act together quickly or that view will alter; for now neither side makes much appeal.

Prediction: Partick 1 Dunfermline 1.

BBC Scotland are showing the first round of the Scottish Cup so the only live matches that have been priced up by the layers are the two Sunday Premiership games. St Johnstone entertain Rangers in the lunchtime kick-off (BT Sport 1, 12.15pm) and the Gers are 4/11 to come away from Perth with all three points. Saints are 17/2 and a draw 17/4 (Betway).

The Edinburgh derby is the focus of attention in the afternoon (Sky Sports Football, 3pm). Hibernian are 6/4 to get the better of their struggling neighbours, a draw is 12/5 and Hearts 15/8 (Skybet). In addition, Celtic play Kilmarnock at Parkhead, also at 3pm that day. The Bhoys are 1/3, Killie 10/1 and a stalemate 9/2.

The Europa League has reached the group stages with both Celtic and Rangers handed difficult tasks, as evidenced by the fact they are both priced at 9/2 to win their sections. The prices in full are as follows:– Group E: Lazio 7/10 (Unibet), Rennes 9/2 (Bet365), Celtic 9/2 (Betway) and CFR Cluj 11/1 (Unibet). Group G: Porto evens, Feyenoord 4/1 (Unibet), Rangers 9/2 (Unibet), Young Boys 6/1.

Rennes versus Celtic is one of the early evening ties tonight (Thursday, BT Sport, 5.55pm) and the French side are 5/4 (Ladbrokes), the Bhoys 13/5 (Betfair Sportsbook) and a draw 23/10.

Rangers play Feyenoord at Ibrox later that night (8pm) and are 13/10 (Betvictor) to open with a victory; Feyenoord are 23/10 and it is 5/2 (Betfred) that the spoils are shared.

The Rugby World Cup starts tomorrow (Friday) and all 48 matches will be screened by ITV. Scotland get their Pool A campaign under way on Sunday against Ireland. This will probably be Scotland's toughest pool match and the Irish are 4/11 (Betway), the Scots 10/3 (Spreadex) and a draw 33/1 (Boylesports). Their is a slight disagreement among the bookies on the handicaps; ranging from Ireland -8 at evens (Betfair Sportsbook) to Scotland +10 at 10/11 (Skybet/Hills). Other markets available include first try scorer, first scoring play and winning margins.