THE SPFL Championship is so brutally competitive that Partick Thistle have gone from title contenders to hanging on for a play-off place in the space of just a few days.
The Jags head into this clash with struggling Dunfermline desperate to get back on track after successive defeats to Morton and Hamilton saw them drop 11 points behind leaders Kilmarnock.
They still have a game in hand and victory at East End Park is imperative as fifth-placed Raith Rovers sit just three points behind Ian McCall's men in the play-off race.
Things are just as tight at the bottom of the table and Dunfermline can move above Queen of the South if they avoid defeat against Thistle.
John Hughes will desperate for three points instead of just one, however, and victory would see the Pars move within three points of eighth-placed Ayr United in the battle to stay up.
Turning draws into wins has been the biggest problem for Dunfermline this season, with 14 of their 29 league matches ending on level terms.
Three of their last four have been stalemates but the Pars outplayed Morton in last Friday's TV game and that will give them hope of toppling a Partick side in poor form.
How the bookies view it
Championship games are always tough to call and this one is no different with Dunfermline 21/10 at BoyleSport and Partick priced 13/9 with SBK. Plenty of punters will fancy another Pars draw and that pays 9/4 at Betfair.
Recent head to head
This is the fifth meeting of these sides this term and Partick Thistle have edged it since losing 4-2 to Dunfermline in the League Cup groups. The Jags won 3-0 on their last trip to East End Park in August (below) and claimed a 1-0 Scottish Cup win at Firhill after a 0-0 league stalemate in Glasgow.
Players to watch
Steven Lawless has been a shrewd signing for Dunfermline and will be out to haunt one of his old clubs. The midfielder has netted three times in his last eight games and also takes the Pars penalties. That makes him a good shout for anytime scorer at 5/2 with McBookie.
Brian Graham was a huge miss for Partick at the weekend as their top scorer sat out the crushing defeat by Hamilton. It's unclear whether he will be fit to play here so Rangers loanee Juan Alegria could lead the line again. The Colombian teen has yet to score for the Jags but is 6/4 with McBookie to get off the mark here.
Anything else catch the eye?
I bet against BTTS at Firhill at the weekend as chances had been at a premium in Thistle's home games on their awful pitch. It was a surprise when four goals flew in there on Saturday but thankfully they all went into the Jags net so my bet still came up.
Both teams have scored in four of Dunfermline's last six so I fancy a repeat here with both sides desperate for a win. That bet pays 17/20 with McBookie.
There's not much between these sides on current form so the half-time draw is another good option at 24/23 with SBK.
This Scottish Championship match between Dunfermline and Partick Thistle will be played on Mar 22, 2022 and kick off at 19:05. Check below for our tipsters best Dunfermline vs Partick Thistle prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.