Preview Falkirk

SPFL Championship: It is three and a half years since the Pars last met the Bairns in the league.

The last visit to the Falkirk Stadium was in the League Cup in August 2013 and although that ended in a 2-1 defeat the 1-0 league reversal in February that year followed three undefeated visits. There is little doubt that both sets of fans relish these derbies and the atmosphere on Saturday is very likely to be potent.

There have only been four Dunfermline wins in the last eighteen league meetings, Falkirk have won seven of the last twelve. .Over the 90 league matches played between them Falkirk are ahead 40 v 30. .

The Pars were unbeaten in the five league meetings against Falkirk with three wins and two draws before the Boxing Day defeat in 2012. . Since that match Falkirk have won the three league games and two league cup ties.

Last League Meeting at Falkirk Stadium
16th February 2013

The match was heading for a goalless draw until Falkirk manager Stephen Pressley introduced David WEATHERSTON for Grant three minutes from time and he had an immediate chance as he found himself with the opportunity to shoot from 18 yards. Gallacher could do little about the sub`s good finish and the Pars went 1-0 down. There was no way back and Dunfermline went down to their fifth defeat in their last six games.

FALKIRK: Michael McGovern. Kieran Duffie, Darren Dods, Jonathon Flynn, Stephen Kingsley. Stewart Murdoch, Thomas Grant (David Weatherston 87), Brian Alston, Jay Fulton (Sean Higgins 83), Conor McGrandles, Lyle Taylor.
SUBS NOT USED: Lewis Small, Liam Dick, Graham Bowman (GK)

DUNFERMLINE: Paul Gallacher. Ross Millen, Andy Dowie, Callum Morris, Jordan McMillan (c). Josh Falkingham (Alex Whittle 31), Ryan Thomson, Stephen Husband. Craig Dargo (Joe Cardle 74), Andy Kirk, Ryan Wallace.
SUBS NOT USED: John Potter, Allan Smith, Michael Hrivnak (GK)

Recent Form

Falkirk are unbeaten in five league games since 20th August and have recovered well from a situation of taking just one point from their first three league fixtures. Only Hibs have left the Falkirk Stadium victorious in the seven home matches there this season.

Dunfermline`s only away wins this season have been in cup competition at Cowdenbeath and Brechin. Their league form has gone from five successive defeats to a win and a draw.

Last Time Out

DUNFERMLINE (v Queens Park): .Sean Murdoch: Ryan Williamson, Lewis Martin, Lee Ashcroft, Jason Talbot, Michael Paton, Andy Geggan (c), Rhys McCabe (Kallum Higginbotham 64), Joe Cardle: Gavin Reilly (Farid El Alagui HT), Nicky Clark (David Hopkirk 81)
SUBS NOT USED: Michael Moffat, Ben Richards-Everton, Paul McMullan, David Hutton (GK)

FALKIRK (v Ayr United): Deniz Dogan Mehmet: Luca Gasparotto, Paul Watson, Lewis Kidd, Luke Leahy, John Rankin, Mark Kerr (Cameron Blues 110), Myles Hippolyte, Lee Miller, Bob McHugh (Craig Sibbald 68), Scott Shepherd (John Baird 80)
SUBS NOT USED: David McCracken, Liam Henderson, Tony Gallacher, Lewis McMinn (GK)

Referee will be Andrew Dallas, his first game in charge of a Dunfermline match since sending off Joe Cardle at Ayr in December 2015.

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