ONLY seven points separate fourth-placed Dundee and bottom side Partick Thistle as outside the top three, the Scottish Championship has a competitive look to it. Both Queen of the South and Dunfermline are in the midst of this battle and neither side will want to slip up when they clash at Palmerston Park on Saturday.

The bookmakers price the game up as Dunfermline 13/8 (Skybet), Queen of the South 9/5 (Bet365/Hills) and a draw 23/10 (Skybet). It may seem odd that the Pars are favourites to win this match given that they are away from home with apparently little to choose between them. However, to date, the Pars have done their winning in clusters and the confidence garnered from the victory against Dundee can propel them to another win.

Prediction: Queen of the South 1 Dunfermline 2.

The Friday night BBC Scotland fixture pits Partick against Ayr tomorrow and the layers chalk up Thistle at 13/10 (Skybet), a draw 11/4 (Bet365) and the Honest Men 2/1 (Hills/Coral). Why the bottom-placed side is fancied to beat the third-placed team is a mystery and the value undoubtedly lies with the visitors.

Prediction: Partick 0 Ayr 1.

Not so long ago, Celtic and Rangers were deadlocked at the summit of the Scottish Premiership but the Gers' defeat at Hearts last weekend enabled the Bhoys to pull five points clear at the time of writing. Celtic should add another three points to their haul when they visit relegation-haunted Hamilton on Sunday (BT Sport 1, 12.30pm). The Bhoys are 2/11 (Skybet), the Accies 20/1 (Bet365) and a draw 7/1 (Bet365). Off a -2 handicap Celtic are 13/10, Hamilton 6/4 and a tie 10/3 (Bet365).

Rangers will hope that they have trimmed the gap by the time Celtic visit New Douglas Park after their showdown with fourth-placed Aberdeen at Ibrox on Saturday (3pm). The Gers are 1/4, the Dons 12/1 (Betfair Sportsbook) and a stalemate 11/2 (Betway). The -2 handicap prices for this clash are Rangers 2/1 (Paddy Power), Aberdeen 11/10 (Unibet) and a tie 3/1.

Hard Rock Stadium in Miami is host to Superbowl 54 that takes place on Sunday (11.30pm, BBC1). Kansas City and San Francisco duly scored comfortable victories in their respective Championship games to contest the showpiece and the bookies are expecting a tight tussle. Kansas are 4/5 to claim the crown while San Francisco are 11/10 (Skybet). The Chiefs therefore edge favouritism on the point spread (handicap): -1 at 20/23 (Hills) whereas the 49ers are +2 at 5/6 (Bet365). Over 53.5 total points is at 10/11, the same price as Under 54.5 (Hills).

Two outstanding teams should ensure a cracking final with the 49ers fancied to edge it.

Prediction: Kansas 24 San Francisco 27.