DUNFERMLINE and Queen of the South have virtually identical mid-table records ahead of their clash at East End Park on Saturday. The bookmakers, however, do not perceive this match to be especially close; the Pars are 10/11 (Skybet), a draw 13/5 (Bet365/Betfred) and the Doonhamers 10/3 (Bet365). The Pars’ only defeat in their last six matches was the weekend defeat to table-toppers Dundee United, a loss they erased on Tuesday night. The layers give nothing away on Athletic’s price thus it is with reluctance that they are the choice.

Prediction: Dunfermline 1 Queen of the South 0.

Dundee continue to be in favour on BBC Scotland’s live Friday night fixture (7.05pm) and they entertain Morton at Dens Park. The odds for the encounter are the Dark Blues 4/5 (Bet365); a draw 11/4 and the Ton 7/2 (Skybet/Betway).

The League Cup semi-finals take place this weekend at Hampden Park with Glasgow doing battle with Edinburgh. Both matches are live on BT Sport 1, starting with the Celtic versus Hibernian encounter on Saturday night (5.30pm). The Bhoys are 2/7 (Skybet), a draw 9/2 and the Hi-Bees 11/1 (Betvictor). Celtic are still strong odds-on shots with a -1 handicap: they are 3/4, Hibs 13/5 and a tie 3/1 (Skybet). At the time of writing, Hibernian have drawn five matches on the trot and even though one of those stalemates was against Celtic, they have it all to do.

Prediction: Celtic 2 Hibernian 0.

Rangers against Heart of Midlothian is also heavily weighted in favour of the Glaswegians: the Gers are 4/11 (Skybet), a draw 4/1 and Hearts 17/2 (Betvictor). The Ibrox side are even money with Paddy Power on the -1 handicap, the Jambos 11/5 and a tie 11/4 (Skybet). Rangers can complete their side of the bargain and set up an Old Firm final, although Hearts can make a fight of it.

Prediction: Rangers 2 Hearts 1.

England take on South Africa in the final of the Rugby World Cup on Saturday (ITV, 9am) and the layers believe the crown is theirs for the taking. England are 8/15, South Africa 9/4 (Spreadex) and an 80-minute stalemate 25/1 (Skybet). The handicap mark is set at -5 England and, probably because the English are in the final, the bookmakers are making it even money on both sides rather than the usual 10/11. Ladbrokes chalk the tie up at 25/1. The total points mark is under/over 36.5 at 10/11. England have done the hard work in disposing of New Zealand and can complete the job in the final.

Prediction: England 23 South Africa 10.

The third-place play-off, a match no-one wants to be in, is expected to be a one-sided canter for New Zealand when they take on Wales tomorrow (Friday, ITV, 9am). The Kiwis are 1/10, Wales 17/2 (Bet365/Ladbrokes) and a draw 40/1. New Zealand -18 at 10/11 or Wales +19 at evens are the best-priced handicap alternatives.