FALKIRK are the great underachievers, but there are signs they are finally starting to get their act together under John McGlynn and they look a terrific bet at 17/20 against Montrose to start 2023 in a good way.
The Bairns were looking forward to their derby with Dunfermline on Monday only for the weather to take centre stage. But they have been in decent goalscoring form.
Since flopping in their last grudge match against the Pars at the start of November, they are unbeaten in the league and have banged in 11 goals in four games.
They put five past Queen of the South in their last home game and face a struggling Montrose side whose form has fallen off a cliff.
Stewart Petrie's side were dark horses for promotion not so long ago but have failed to win in their last seven games in all competitions, with a Scottish Cup home hammering from Darvel appearing to impact on them badly.
They have also lost loan stars Adam Hutchinson and Cammy Ballantyne to Dundee United and St Johnstone which could weaken them further and the hosts look a solid shout here.
QUEEN'S PARK hit the top of the Championship last week and they can spoil Paul Hartley's homecoming by winning at Cove Rangers.
Owen Coyle's men have been in terrific form this season and can no longer merely be considered outsiders for winning the league. They are the real deal as they showed last week by beating in-form Partick Thistle.
The Spiders have now won seven in a row in all competitions and are absolutely flying with a team that picks itself.
Cove were demolished 6-1 by Inverness last week which cost Jim McIntyre his job. Their problems have increased with injuries to Shay Logan and Charlie Gilmour and they have also lost defenders Jack Sanders and Max Johnston, who have been recalled by Kilmarnock and Motherwell.
The Glasgow side must really fancy their chances of taking advantage at a great price of 7/5.
ANNAN ATHLETIC have recovered from a recent poor spell and can make it five wins out of seven in the league when Forfar Athletic visit Galaback.
Peter Murphy's side were struggling, but they are now back in the play-off places after recent impressive wins against Albion Rovers and East Fife. They also won at Stirling Albion recently.
Forfar have improved under Ray McKinnon, but they lost with ten men last week at home to Elgin City and this is a difficult trip for them.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
FALKIRK 17/20
QUEEN'S PARK 7/5
ANNAN ATHLETIC evens
Freelance Scottish Football journalist for all newspapers. Former Racing Post Scottish Football Correspondent and long-suffering Aberdeen fan.
