ATHLETIC boss James McPake is hoping his side can kick-start their league season when Raith Rovers visit KDM Group East End Park this evening.
The first Fife derby of this season's Championship campaign has been brought forward from its original scheduled date of Saturday to be beamed live across the country on the BBC Scotland channel, and will show the teams occupying the division's bottom two places.
Dunfermline, with one point from four games, can jump above their rivals with victory, whilst three points for Rovers would take them as high as fourth before Saturday's matches.
McPake's side go into the game having failed to win in six Kingdom clashes last term, which included losing all four league meetings, but their opponents make the short trip along the A92 under the charge of a new manager.
Following Ian Murray's dismissal after their opening day defeat at Airdrieonians, former Barnsley head coach, Neill Collins, was appointed into the role at Stark's Park, but suffered a 3-2 loss at Ayr United in the SPFL Trust Trophy on Sunday, his first game in charge.
In the same competition a day earlier, the Pars advanced against League Two high-flyers, East Fife, to record their first win in all competitions since a Premier Sports Cup group stage win at The Spartans in July.
That came a week after they picked up their first point of the league season, at home to table-toppers Ayr United, and McPake is hopeful his men can turn one into three in the derby.
"If it's them or Falkirk coming here, or us going to either of those two, there’s an edge to the game. Same for them," he said.
"They’ll want to come here and win. They’ve experienced it last season in particular, they’ve enjoyed it, so they’ll be desperate to repeat that. We’re desperate for our own cause, just to get three points on the board and kick-start our season."
How can they do it? Here are four things the Pars need to do to swing the derby in their favour.
Get the crowd involved
There's set to be a good crowd inside KDM Group East End Park for the game and it is crucial to give them encouragement from the off.
Dunfermline did that in their last home match with Ayr United, where a couple of strong, well-timed tackles had the fans behind them, as did some early play that showed intent to play on the front foot.
If they can do that, then those on the terraces will help produce a positive atmosphere.
Finding the back of the net
Two goals at East Fife on Saturday took Dunfermline's total tally for the campaign, in nine matches across all competitions, to seven - and three of those came in their first competitive outing at Spartans in July.
Before Ewan Otoo hit the net against Ayr United in their last league game, the Pars had scored just once in six games, with their previous three games resulting in a failure to find the net.
Goals have been an issue, but there were much more positive signs against the Honest Men, with Athletic looking much more of a threat.
Chris Kane, if selected, will be a key figure in leading the line, and could there be a temptation from the manager to perhaps involve Dapo Mebude, who has been training with the club, as a trialist?
READ MORE: Pars take Scotland under-21 cap on trial
Putting pressure on their opponents
Tonight's game will be a baptism of fire for new Rovers boss Collins in his first league game in charge.
He was in the dugout for their SPFL Trust Trophy match at Ayr United on Sunday, where he watched his new side let slip a two-goal first half advantage to exit the competition.
Dunfermline, you imagine, will look to try and play on the front foot and take advantage of any doubts in the away side's ranks following that setback.
The hosts will also want to make sure that they keep it tight defensively in the early stages, having lost a goal inside six minutes to another of their rivals, Falkirk, last month, which they failed to recover from in a 2-0 defeat.
Winning the midfield battle
The passion in the stands will be evident, but cool heads could be key on the park, along with taking control in midfield.
If Dunfermline can gain a foothold in that position, whilst stopping Raith's ball players from dictating proceedings, that could set them up for a successful evening.
Press Sport will be bringing you a round-up and reaction after the match, which kicks off at 7.45pm.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here