• Aberdeen have lost 11 of their last 16 matches

• Seven of the last nine Old Firm games have featured at least three goals

• St Mirren have won just one of their last 15 games

We are down to the last eight in the Scottish Cup and, while Sunday's quarter-final between Rangers and Celtic will grab most of the attention, the three other games over the weekend are also intriguing contests.

Falkirk vs Dundee United (Friday, 7.45pm)

Nine points separate Falkirk and Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership table, with the Bairns on course for a top-six finish following their promotion from the Championship.

This could prove to be closer, however, than that gap suggests as United’s progress has been hampered by 12 draws in 29 league games and they did win 3-2 on a visit to Falkirk on February 14.

The home side finished with ten men that day and they could just hold the edge in this one as United have kept a clean sheet in just two of their last 15 games and also lost 3-0 when the teams met at Tannadice in November.

Falkirk's only other defeats in their last 12 home games have come against Hearts and Celtic, so they can gain revenge for last month's reverse.

Score prediction: Falkirk 2-1 Dundee United

Dunfermline vs Aberdeen (Saturday, 7.30pm)

This could be another tight encounter, even though Dunfermline would love to be closer to Championship leaders St Johnstone than their current 18-point gap.

The Pars have already beaten top-flight Hibs on the way to the last eight and, even though they needed a late own goal to come out on top in that one, they could be facing Aberdeen at a good time.

The Dons' 2-0 success over Motherwell in the last round has been their only victory in their last seven games and they have lost 11 of their last 16 matches, so they could be heading to East End Park fearing the worst and this one could go to extra-time and beyond.

Score prediction: Dunfermline 1-1 Aberdeen

Rangers vs Celtic (Sunday, 1pm)

Rangers and Celtic take a break from a thrilling Scottish Premiership title race,and, while the Bhoys received a boost with a 2-1 win at Aberdeen on Wednesday, it could be their arch-rivals who progress in the cup.

The Gers have lost just one of their last six meetings at Ibrox and FC Porto are the only team to have beaten Danny Rohl's side since the turn of the year.

The pair played out a 2-2 draw last week and seven of the last nine meetings have produced at least three goals, so we should be set for an entertaining encounter.

However, the Gers look to have the bit between their teeth in the Scottish Cup this year, having scored 13 times in their opening two games, so they can come out on top here.

Score prediction: Rangers 2-1 Celtic

St Mirren vs Partick Thistle (Sunday, 7.30pm)

St Mirren have won just one of their last 15 matches and they could be vulnerable at home to Partick Thistle, who sit second in the Championship.

The Buddies needed penalties to get past Livingston and extra-time to beat another second-tier team, Airdrie, in this competition and this could be when their luck finally runs out.

Thistle's unbeaten run goes back to December 13 and they have scored at least twice in five of their last six games, so Paisley could be the scene of a quarter-final shock.

Score prediction: St Mirren 2-1 Partick Thistle