Dunfermline v Motherwell
Football : Scottish Premier League
Sunday 26/08/2011 - Kickoff 15.00 (local)

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Dunfermline

Dunfermline's great unbeaten start to the season came to a crashing end when they were beaten midweek by local rivals and 2nd Divison side East Fife in the Scottish League Cup. Manager Jim McIntyre put it down to, "a bad day at the office" and I'm sure he will be more interested in doing well in the SPL than a cup run in their return to the top flight.

East End Park is starting to become a bit of a fortress for Dunfermline, they have now not lost at home for 8 games in a row and if we look even further back they only have 2 defeats in 27 matches.

Dunfie have no new injuries worries for this game so i'm expecting them to resort back to a 4-4-2 with Barrowman and Kirk upfront.


Possible Dunfermline lineup :
Gallagher, J Thomson, McCann, Keddie, Dowie, Mason Hardie, Burns, Cardle, Barrowman, Kirk (4-4-2)

Motherwell

Motherwell were also in cup action midweek although they had a convincing 4-0 away win to Clyde but to be honest that was fully expected. This will have boosted confidence after they were turned over 3-0 by Rangers at home last weekend.

Stuart McCall took the liberty of resting the likes of captain Craigan, Jennings and Hammell for the cup tie but expect them to be straight back in the first team for this game. Oddly Mccall has said he has an injury doubt over a player but he is unwilling to disclose who it is, which suggests it is one of his better players. Motherwell did sign defender Clancy from Kilmarnock this week but he will not feature in this match.



Possible Motherwell lineup :
Randolph, Hateley, Craigan, Hutchinson, Hammell, Humphrey, Lasley, Jennings, Law, Murphy, Higdon (4-4-2)

THE BETTING VERDICT

I originally in my head had Motherwell down as winning this match but looking a bit deeper and particularly at the home form of Dunfermline, which is very hard to ignore, I have had a change of heart. Only 2 losses in 27 matches is impressive even if the majority of those matches were back in the 1st Divison last season.

With this in mind I am going to back Dunfermline's home record but with the safety of the level half asian handicap (+0.25)

The Pick :

Dunfermline 1-1 Motherwell

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

Dunfermline 25% - Draw 40% - Motherwell 35%

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Consider backing the DRAW at odds of 3.30

HANDICAP BETTING :

Main Bet :
I'll take Dunfermline with a +0.25 asian handicap at around 1.8