It’s quite simply the biggest game in the country this week, and quite possibly the biggest game of the cinch SPFL season so far.
cinch League 1 table toppers Dunfermline Athletic are set to face their fierce rivals Falkirk in front of a bumper crowd in a match which will go some way towards determining the destination of the title.
With over 8,700 tickets sold, and more expected on the day, Tuesday evening’s clash at East End Park has the makings of a modern classic.
A fixture steeped in history, with a rivalry which has grown in ferocity over the past 30 years, it’s difficult to describe just what a win would mean for either set of supporters.
The Pars currently hold a five-point lead at the top of the table over their rivals from across the Forth, with victory on Tuesday evening all but making James McPake’s side champions elect.
For Falkirk it’s a case of ‘do or die’ in terms of the title race, with the chance to narrow the gap to just two points and the prospect of a further title shootout on home soil in April.
Since the beginning of the season Dunfermline have been consistently excellent.
The key to the Pars’ success has been built upon solid defensive foundations and having the ability to grind out wins in tight matches.
Dunfermline have lost just one league match all season and have conceded a mere 16 goals in their 26 matches to date.
That is quite an incredible return and looks to be the form of a championship winning side.
Having arrived following relegation from the Championship, manager McPake resisted the urge to completely overhaul the squad. Instead the Pars boss focused on getting the best out of players he inherited while making some careful and shrewd signings.
The key summer signing saw Kyle Benedictus cross the Fife divide from Kirkcaldy to Dunfermline and his leadership qualities and defensive nous have made him the beating heart of a water tight defence this season.
Couple that with the resurgence and consistency of remaining squad members from last season such as Aaron Comrie, Josh Edwards and goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet, who has kept a league high 15 clean sheets, and you have what has become the sternest back line in the whole of the SPFL.
A special mention also goes to summer signing and boyhood Par, Chris Hamilton who has been a fantastic addition to Dunfermline’s midfield, showing the battling qualities and ball-playing abilities which made him a fan favourite on loan at Arbroath last season.
While the Pars don’t have one free-scoring attacker to rely on like some of their divisional rivals, the goals have been shared across the front line evenly with each of Dunfermline’s main strikers chipping in with crucial moments.
Craig Wighton and Nikolay Todorov have become a formidable duo at the point of the Pars’ attack, finding the net on eight and seven occasions, respectively.
Falkirk’s journey this season has been less plain sailing than that of their rivals but are they finding form at the perfect time?
John McGlynn’s summer arrival was greeted with an air of positivity throughout FK2 and while they took some time to adapt, Falkirk’s league form since their home loss to the Pars in early November has been almost faultless.
The Bairns are on a run of 12 games without defeat in cinch League 1 and McGlynn looks to have nurtured a settled team and discovered a winning formula.
Playing on the front foot with an attack-minded brand of football, Falkirk are the division’s top scorers, averaging around 2.15 goals per game and are riding a wave of momentum heading into Tuesday evening’s match.
Summer recruitment was key with McGlynn bringing in a blend of youth and experience in key areas of the pitch.
Club captain Stephen McGinn has been excellent at the base of the midfield, Coll Donaldson has brought physicality and ball-playing ability to the heart of the defence. Kai Kennedy has added a spark in attack while Liam Henderson, signed as a defender, has developed into one of the division’s top midfield enforcers.
Undoubtedly though, Falkirk’s key creative man has been Callumn Morrison with the winger providing 12 goals and 6 assists as well as his lightning quick pace and superb dribbling abilities.
A special shout also goes out to Leon McCann, who has been arguably the best full back in the division, showing composure and quality in possession as well as a dogged nature and never-say-die attitude when it comes to the defensive side of the game.
The sides have already met twice this season – the first match at East End being a thoroughly entertaining 1-1 draw, with the Pars getting the upper hand on Falkirk’s patch in the reverse fixture thanks to a Craig Wighton winner.
Dunfermline’s last home win over the Bairns came during the Covid-19 pandemic, with a pair of Euan Murray goals settling a League Cup group stage clash in October 2020.
Falkirk’s last win on the road against the Pars was back in April 2019 when Davis Keillor-Dunn’s second-half strike gave the Bairns the away day victory.
Regardless of which way the scoreline goes, this has all the makings of a fantastic match with the backdrop of a raucous atmosphere being generated by two sets of passionate supporters.
It’ll be an occasion to remember, so if you can’t get a match ticket then you can also tune into the action via ParsTV.
PPV for the match is available to purchase for £14 here
