DUNFERMLINE meet struggling Queen of the South on Saturday as they bid to improve their chances of forcing their way into the play-offs.

The Doonhamers have yet to post a league victory this year and coupled with a home defeat to the Pars last month, are considered outsiders for this game at East End Park.

Dunfermline are 5/6 (Hills), Queen of the South 7/2 (Bet365) and a draw 13/5. The prices give nothing away and it would not be the first time the Pars let down odds-on backers but they should secure the points; in fact, Coral’s 23/10 on a -1 handicap might be worth a small interest.

Prediction: Dunfermline 2 Queen of the South 0.

There is only one live match over the weekend, stuttering Rangers making the trip to Dingwall where they will face ninth-placed Ross County (Sky Sports Football, Sunday, 12pm). The Staggies are not in immediate danger but they would welcome a positive result from this encounter to keep clear of the relegation whirlpool. However, the bookies predict they are in for a tough afternoon: Rangers are 2/7 (Boylesports), County 11/1 (Betfred) and a draw 6/1 (Bet365). Off a -2 handicap, County are 6/5 (Skybet), the Gers 2/1 (Betvictor) and a tie 10/3 (Bet365).

Rangers have been unconvincing lately and make no appeal at any of the prices. Their hosts could pinch a draw or even a shock victory but backing the Staggies to stay within a two-goal start looks the way to go.

Prediction: Ross County 1 Rangers 2.

Celtic are drawing steadily clear in their quest to land a 51st title and should have no problem in disposing of third-bottom St Mirren on Saturday (3pm kick-off). The Bhoys are 2/11 (Skybet), the Buddies 20/1 (Bet365) and a draw 7/1. The -2 handicap prices are Celtic 13/10 (Paddy Power), St Mirren 17/10 (Unibet) and a tie 3/1. This is not a game to go overboard on but the Bhoys can win and creep over the handicap.

Prediction: Celtic 3 St Mirren 0.

There are two Six Nations matches going ahead this weekend after the cancellation of the Ireland versus Italy game. England are expected to keep up the pressure on leaders France when they entertain Wales at Twickenham on Saturday (ITV, 4.45pm), with the bookies rating them no bigger than 1/5 shots (Skybet) to claim the victory. Wales are 5/1 (Betway) and a draw 33/1. England -12 at 10/11 or Wales +13 at evens (Betway) are the best propositions on the handicap.

Scotland will be bidding to put a spanner in France’s works when the two teams do battle at Murrayfield on Sunday (BBC1, 3pm). The layers believe the Scots will not be up to it: France are 4/9, Scotland 12/5 (Betway) and a draw 25/1. The handicap has been lined up across the board at France -6 and both teams are 10/11.