Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 12/11

Bookmaker: Luckster

Two camps who will get their respective play-off adventures and meet for the second time in the space of a few days, Dunfermline will welcome Arbroath to East End Park for their first-leg showdown on Tuesday night.

Dunfermline

Starting with the hosts, while Dunfermline might have largely struggled to find much real stability over the past few weeks, Neil Lennon’s side are on the cusp on making real history. Shockingly booking their spot in the final of this season’s Scottish Cup as they edged past Falkirk thanks to a famous penalty shootout victory at Hampden, the Pars also wrapped up another play-off ticket with time to spare. However, signing off their regular-season adventure with an uneventful 0-0 stalemate against Tuesday’s guests over the weekend, the former Celtic boss has seen his squad register just a single win from any of their last six appearances across all competitions within 90 minutes. However, it is worth noting, Lennon’s camp have recorded three clean sheets in their previous four outings.

Dunfermline Team News

Registering 13 Championship strikes this season and finishing second in the Golden Boot race, 20-year-old Andrew Tod will be handed a full recall on Tuesday night and lead the line. Proving to be Dunfermline’s hero at Hampden last month, number one choice goalkeeper Aston Oxborough will return between the sticks.

One-time Arsenal youngster Charlie Gilmour should start in the middle of the park and should parent Mozambique international Alfons Amade. Making a permanent switch from Premier League outfit Leeds last year, Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen will start at the heart of Dunfermline’s defence.

Arbroath

As for the visitors, while Arbroath might have secured another bronze medal finish among Scotland’s second-tier this season, the Smokies find themselves in an almost identical position to Tuesday’s opponents. Signing off the 2025/26 campaign with consecutive 0-0 stalemates against Dunfermline and Partick Thistle, the Angus-based outfit have drastically failed to find any kind of fluidity. Along with registering just a single victory from any of their previous six Championship appearances, Arbroath have also remarkably won just a trio of their last 16 attempts – a rut that stems all the way back to January 13th. Likewise, Monday’s guests have failed to win any of their previous seven straight matchups away from Gayfield Park across all competitions (four defeats, three draws).

Arbroath Team News

While one-time Hearts striker Gavin Reilly might have notched just a single Championship strike since the middle of January, the 32-year-old should be handed a full recall and lead Arbroath’s attack here. Hibernian loanee Jacob MacIntyre will start in the middle of the park.

Enjoying a successful maiden campaign at Garfield Park since arriving last year, former Airdrieonians defender Craig Watson will start at the back. Handed a full rest over the weekend, Aidan McAdams will return between the sticks on Tuesday night.

Dunfermline vs Arbroath Key Factors to Consider

• When Dunfermline and Arbroath signed off the 2025/26 campaign on Saturday afternoon, Tuesday’s opponents played out a 0-0 stalemate at East End Park.
• Dunfermline have registered just a single win from any of their last six appearances across all competitions within 90 minutes.
• Arbroath have won just a trio of their last 16 appearances across all fronts- a rut that stems all the way back to January 13th.
• Tuesday’s guests have failed to win any of their previous seven straight matchups away from Gayfield Park across all competitions (four defeats, three draws).
• Dunfermline have recorded a clean sheet in three of their last four appearances.

Conclusion

With Tuesday’s play-off rivals playing out an uneventful 0-0 stalemate when they met for the Championship’s season finale over the weekend, we could be set for another nervy affair here. With Dunfermline registering three clean sheets from their final four appearances across all competitions, chances might come at a real premium in midweek. It should also be highlighted, Arbroath have drawn a blank in four of their previous five matchups away from Gayfield Park.

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 12/11

Bookmaker: Luckster