Scottish picks: best bets for Saturday's matches in Scotland

Dundee United signed an entire new team of 11 players last month and they can provide a minor shock in the William Hill Scottish Cup fifth round by winning at struggling St Mirren.

The Tannadice side have provided plenty of false dawns in the past couple of years and they have let down their followers on plenty of occasions this term too.

However, backed by new American owners, they are finally showing some ambition by capturing players who should be performing at a higher level than the second tier of Scottish football.

Peter Pawlett, Osman Sow, Mark Reynolds and Ian Harkes should help United to challenge in the Ladbrokes Championship and their title odds have shrunk from double-figure prices in October to no bigger than 5-1.

They travel to Paisley to face a Saints team who look doomed from the top flight.

Manager Oran Kearney has faced an uphill battle since day one and the transfer window doesn't appear to have helped them much.

They probably wouldn't lose much sleep about going out of the cup and United look value for the win.

Falkirk have finally got their act together after a dismal campaign and they can win a Ladbrokes Championship relegation showdown at Alloa.

Ray McKinnon was another manager who was busy during the transfer window as he brought in 13 players, including loan extensions.

They are unbeaten in four games and trounced Queen of the South last week.

Alloa have punched above their weight all season, but there are signs that being part-time is starting to catch up with them.

A Bairns win would see them leapfrog their Clackmannanshire rivals and Zak Rudden and company can help fire them to potential safety.

Forfar have been quietly going about their business and they can beat Airdrie at Station Park.

Jim Weir's side have collected four out of six points from visits to Ladbrokes League One leaders Arbroath and Raith Rovers in their last two games and they have also won their last three games at home.

They have signed experienced defender Adam Eckersley and can rely on 33-year-old striker John Baird, who has scored 16 goals this term.

Airdrie blow hot and cold, but they haven't won on their last three games and Forfar can triumph.

Recommendations
Dundee United
2pts 13-8 bet365
Falkirk
2pts 2-1 general
Forfar
1pt 9-5 BoyleSports, Hills

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