The Scottish Cup swings in to action this weekend and Mark Walker looks ahead to his best bets which also include Hearts visit to Dunfermline in the Championship.
Dunfermline v Hearts
HEARTS have been reduced to a laughing stock in recent weeks after their calamitous Scottish Cup exit to Brora Rangers and home defeat to Queen of the South.
But they will still run away with the Championship and look outstanding value to win at a Dunfermline side who appear to be in freefall.
Hearts are evens to win, but are 13/5 to win minus a goal and can take advantage of a Pars side who look all over the place at the back.
They threw away a two-goal lead at Dundee last week and could have lost by more than just 3-2 if it wasn't for their goalkeeper and collapsed to an embarrassing 5-1 defeat to rivals Raith Rovers in midweek.
Hearts lost at East end Park already this season, but they are only a couple of games from clinching the title and frankly, they have too many players of quality in that squad certainly at that level to turn in another stinker.
The return today of Craig Gordon, Michael Smith and Steven Naismith should be another boost to their chances and they can win by a couple of goals in Fife.
Forfar Athletic v Edinburgh City
In the Scottish Cup, EDINBURGH CITY have been in excellent form since the resumption of lower league football and the appointment of Gary Naysmith as manager and can win at 13/8 at Forfar Athletic at Station Park.
There is a division between the teams, but the Citizens – who this week announced a return to Meadowbank – can keep the good news coming with a win in the Cup.
They've won four in a row since football returned and for good measure won the two matches before the shutdown. Players like Raffaele De Vita and Blair Henderson have aided them and they will be confident of gaining another win against the Loons who are bottom of League One.
Hamilton v St Mirren
ST MIRREN can gain revenge at Hamilton for their Top Six heartache in a Scottish Cup rematch at New Douglas Park.
Jim Goodwin's side lost a last gasp equaliser to Accies on the last game before the split to draw 1-1 and allow St Johnstone to pinch their top six spot.
In an otherwise unattractive fixture, St Mirren can now put their energies into the Scottish Cup with little to play for now in the league.
A Cup run is unlikely to be Accies' priority with their trademark league survival more important and the Saints can gain some payback.
Recommended Bets
- Hearts -1 on handicap 13/5
- Edinburgh City 13/8
- St Mirren 11/10
In December 2020 we sadly 
