THE Scottish Cup fourth round takes place this weekend and for Dunfermline it is a case of what might have been as victory against Stranraer would have meant a trip to Ibrox to contest a lucrative tie with Rangers.

However, the League One strugglers will be contesting the tie, which is taking place tomorrow (Friday) night (Premier Sports 1, 7.45pm). Unsurprisingly, the Gers are expected to show the Pars how it should be done; they are a prohibitive 1/20 (Betfair Sportsbook), the Blues are 35/1 (Betfair Sportsbook) and a draw 14/1 (Bet365).

A wide range of handicap options are available; the -3 alternative has Rangers at 5/4 (Paddy Power), Stranraer 2/1 (Skybet) and a tie 15/4 (Bet365). There will be some cup upsets over the weekend but not here.

Prediction: Rangers 4 Stranraer 0.

Premier Sports 1 have the monopoly on the Old Firm as they will be supplying coverage of Celtic’s trip to Partick on Saturday evening (5.30pm). The Bhoys are 1/10 (Skybet), the Jags 25/1 (Boylesports) and a draw 14/1 (Bet365). The -3 handicap prices are Partick 13/8 (Bet365), Celtic 7/5 (Paddy Power) and a tie 15/4 (Bet365). Another straightforward task looms.

Prediction: Partick 1 Celtic 4.

BBC Scotland are focusing on the Dundee clubs’ quest to dump out top flight opposition. The Dark Blues entertain Motherwell on Saturday night (BBC Scotland, 7.20pm); the match prices are Dundee 16/5 (Skybet/Betvictor), Motherwell 4/5 and a draw 14/5 (Skybet).

Dundee United take on Hibernian on Sunday (BBC1 Scotland, 3pm). The Terrors are 2/1 (Betvictor) to cause a minor surprise, the Hi-Bees are 13/10 (Bet365) and a stalemate 13/10 (Bet365).

Predictions: Dundee 0 Motherwell 2, Dundee United 1 Hibernian 1.

The first tennis Grand Slam event starts in Melbourne next week and Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are expected to feature at the sharp end of the tournament.

The men's outright prices are as follows: Djokovic 13/10 (Unibet), Nadal 9/2, Daniil Medvedev 8/1, Roger Federer 11/1, Stefanos Tsitsipas 12/1, Dominic Thiem 20/1, Nick Kyrgios 28/1 and 50/1 bar.

Serena Williams is the 4/1 favourite to win the ladies' title; Naomi Osaka (with Betvictor) and Ashleigh Barty are both 8/1, Simona Halep 9/1, Karolina Pliskova 12/1 (Skybet), Aryna Sabalenka 20/1, Petra Kvitova (Ladbrokes) and Madison Keys (Betfred) are together at 22/1 and thereafter it is 28/1 and bigger the other competitors.

Kansas and San Francisco are expected to contest Superbowl 54 but have to negotiate one more round before their dreams become reality. Tennessee and Green Bay respectively stand in their way and the best match prices, point spread (handicap) and total points for the two games are as follows:

Kansas versus Tennessee (Sky Sports, Sunday 8.05pm): Kansas 2/7, Tennessee 14/5; Kansas -7.5 20/21, Tennessee +8 10/11 (Ladbrokes); Over 52.5 points 10/11, Under 53 10/11. Prediction: Kansas 28 Tennessee 21.

San Francisco versus Green Bay (Sky Sports, Sunday 11.40pm): San Francisco 2/7, Green Bay 29/10 (Unibet); San Francisco -7 20/23 (Coral), Green Bay +7.5 (Paddy Power); Over 44.5 points 17/20 (Unibet), Under 45.5 20/23 (Betfred). Prediction: San Francisco 27 Green Bay 17.