Dunfermline v Ayr (Championship)

Dunfermline against Ayr is the match to watch in the Scottish Football calendar this weekend, with so much riding on it with regards the relegation battle.

On paper, Dunfermline’s home record is pretty lamentable, with just four wins from 16 matches, but in recent weeks it has been strong. In their last two outings at home, they post strong wins over Raith Rovers and Partick Thistle – both teams substantially better than Ayr – while they are undefeated in the six fixtures they have played at East End Park in 2022, winning four. Incidentally, the two games they dropped points in were against league leaders Kilmarnock and third-placed Inverness.

Meanwhile, Ayr are in the midst of a lamentable five-match winless run that has dragged them back into the relegation battle. They should take some heart thanks to their battling display at home against Inverness last weekend, that saw them recover from the loss of two early goals to earn a 2-2 draw, but they are not a side presently used to winning games.

Adding further weight to the case of the home side before this game is the 3-0 win they enjoyed over Ayr when they met at this venue earlier in the season.

Both teams should have strong squads available for this match but the Pars should come out on top in what is a do-or-die game for them.

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Peterhead v Queen’s Park (League One)

Peterhead have hit an improved run of form at an important time of the season, with three wins and a draw in their last three matches. These results, however, have come against struggling teams while they were only able to draw 1-1 against lowly Dumbarton last weekend. In theory, they can still be dragged into the relegation playoff.

Peterhead’s problem this week is a horrendous number of injuries, which have struck Jim McInally’s side on the eve of this match. These problems appear to be particularly acute in attack, where they have a string of concerns.

Queen’s Park, meanwhile, have also come into a period of improved form. They have won four of their last seven matches and have drawn two of these. QP, though, have been prone to drawing away from home due to their inability to kill matches off. This weakness has been masked by a string of home matches in recent weeks.

Low-scoring games have come as standard for Queen’s Park this season. They are capable in possession and tidy enough defensively, but they are largely toothless in attack.

While there may be some merit backing the visitors given the long odds, which also make a draw no bet attractive, there appears to be a strong possibility that this will be another match with little goalmouth action.

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Stenhousemuir v Albion Rovers (League Two)

Stenhousemuir are one of the few teams in the league left with something tangible to play for in the final three weeks of the season as they playoffs can be reached if they enjoy a strong end to the campaign. Put simply, their fixture against Albion Rovers on Saturday is one that they must find a way to win.

History suggests that the Warriors will find a way to get the job done in this match. They have picked up seven points from a possible nine against the Wee Rovers previously this season, including a 3-1 home victory when the sides met in November. That is one of just four home wins they have managed this season.

Rovers, meanwhile, have done enough to secure their place in League Two and appear to be happy with that. A couple of weeks ago, they drew with fellow strugglers Elgin City 0-0 at home but last weekend they were thumped 5-0 by Stranraer. While there will be some incentive to find a way to get a positive result on Saturday to make up for that heavy defeat, the motivation will be minimal given that they are already safe – which was their target for the season. Having lost eight of their previous 16 league matches on the road this term, the Coatbridge side will do well to avoid the same fate when they travel to Ochilview against highly motivated opponents

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