DUNFERMLINE start their Scottish Cup campaign on Saturday at the third round stage. They travel to Dumfries to meet Stranraer, in a repeat of a fourth round tie five years ago where the Pars were dumped out of the competition after a replay. The bookmakers do not foresee any such issues this time around, pricing the contest up as Dunfermline 6/10, Stranraer 9/2 (Skybet) and a draw 10/3 (Skybet).

When contemplating betting on a surprise result, ideally you need the underdog to be in good form and the favourite enduring a tough patch. Nothing could be further from the truth in this tie; the Blues are bottom of League One having mustered only one league win in their last 11 whereas despite the recent defeat to Alloa, Dunfermline have accumulated a creditable 14 points from their last eight matches. Only one away win in the league thus far sounds a note of caution but the Pars should come through this tie comfortably.

Prediction: Stranraer 0 Dunfermline 2.

Linlithgow Rose have accounted for higher-tier opposition in Huntly and Stirling University in reaching the third round stage and have been rewarded with a televised home tie against Falkirk (BBC Scotland; 7.05pm).

The layers do not contemplate a shock: the Bairns are 3/10 (Skybet), the Rose 12/1 (Betfair Sportsbook) and a draw 6/1 (Bet365/Hills). Off a -2 handicap, the prices are Falkirk 15/8 (Skybet), Linlithgow 13/10 (Boylesports) and a tie 7/2 (Bet365). There are likely to be one or two shocks over the weekend but the gulf between the two sides does not suggest it will be at Prestonfield.

The Premiership has a full round of fixtures of which two are to be broadcast live on Sunday. Hamilton Academical are likely booked for another season of struggle although presently they sit outside the relegation places. That might alter after their game with Rangers at New Douglas Park (BT Sport 1, 12.15pm). The Gers are 1/6 (Skybet), the Accies 20/1 and a stalemate 7/1 (Betfair Sportsbok). The -2 handicap odds are Rangers 13/10 (Paddy Power), Hamilton 13/8 (Spreadex) and a tie 3/1.

The second game features 11th versus third as Aberdeen visit St Johnstone (Sky Sports Football, 3pm). The Perth side have got off to a surprisingly poor start although they only sit four points behind sixth-placed Ross County and have played a game less. However, Aberdeen are expected to compound their current woes: the Dons are 23/20, Saints 13/5 (Betfair Sportsbook) and a draw 5/2 (Bet365).

Celtic entertain Livingston at Parkhead on Saturday (3pm) in what is perceived to be another one-sided affair. The Bhoys are 1/6 (Bet365), Livi 28/1 (Ladbrokes) and a draw 15/2. The -2 handicap prices for this encounter are Celtic 5/4 (Paddy Power, Livingston 9/5 (Unibet) and a tie 29/10 (Unibet).