ATHLETIC are seeking to extend their three-match winning run in the SPFL Championship this afternoon when they entertain Partick Thistle at KDM Group East End Park.

James McPake's side sit fifth in the table and just one point outside the promotion play-off places going into the match with their opponents, who sit third.

Here's what you need to know ahead of today's game.

Form guide

Both teams go into the clash on the back of three successive wins.

The Pars have beaten Dundee United, Greenock Morton and Arbroath in their last three, part of a run of four wins from six outings in March, which saw McPake land the manager of the month award.

Dunfermline are fifth in the table, one point behind Airdrieonians, who sit fourth and in the final promotion play-off place, with the Diamonds, who the Pars visit next weekend, holding a game in hand.

Dunfermline Press:

Athletic are also nine points above Inverness Caledonian Thistle, who sit ninth and in the relegation play-off spot.

Kris Doolan's Thistle ended a run of seven Championship games without victory by beating Morton on March 16, and have since added single-goal successes against Arbroath and Inverness.

The Jags are third in the table, seven points ahead of Airdrie and eight ahead of the Pars, as they look to secure their place in the end of season play-offs.

Recent meetings

Thistle hold the upper hand in the meetings between the clubs this season - but Dunfermline won the most recent.

The Pars claimed a 3-1 success at Firhill in February, which ended a nine-game winless run, thanks to goals from Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Matty Todd and Xavier Benjamin.

Dunfermline Press: Matty Todd scored during the win at Firhill in February.Matty Todd scored during the win at Firhill in February. (Image: Craig Brown.)

Prior to that, they were beaten 3-0 in Glasgow back in September, whilst they lost the last home meeting at East End in December.

Despite a late effort from Todd, goals from Harry Milne and Brian Graham gave Partick the points.

According to Soccerbase, Athletic have the better of the head-to-head record overall, with 39 league wins to Thistle's 31, while 26 encounters have been drawn.

Across all competitions, Dunfermline have won 53 games, Partick have won 34, whilst 30 have been drawn.

Team news

Paul Allan is set to miss out due to a hamstring injury picked up at Arbroath last weekend, whilst Ben Summers has been receiving treatment at parent club Celtic over a back issue.

Dunfermline Press: Paul Allan is set to miss out this afternoon.Paul Allan is set to miss out this afternoon. (Image: Craig Brown.)

Chris Hamilton was to be monitored in the run up to the game, after he was taken off at Gayfield, whilst longer-term absentees Aaron Comrie and Craig Wighton remain out.

Miles Welch-Hayes, who missed the game against the Lichties, will be back in the squad.

McPake noted on Thursday: "Paul will not be available.

"His hamstring is being scanned today. He was worried at the time but it is settling a bit and we will still get it scanned.

"Hammy was on the pitch today. We are going through a protocol and taking it day to day. He did a certain amount, up to an hour today. I’m just going by the doctor’s protocol.

READ MORE: 'We'll keeping chipping away', says Pars boss ahead of Jags clash

"If he feels okay after today - he has a harder bike session to do - and if he has no ill effects from that, then he has to head the ball tomorrow and then see the specialist person, the same specialist that Sam Fisher saw for his head knock. If that’s okay then Hammy will be available.

"Ben is back at Celtic getting a bit of treatment on his back. I’m just awaiting Darren O’Dea letting me know how he is today. He was in yesterday and the day before, it is just a niggle in his back.

"It is frustrating for the kid because he gets to a point and then just feels it. It is another injury that I can completely relate to because every time we talk about an injury, I have had them. I have had three surgeries on my back. I feel as if I’m too soft when it comes to injuries and I protect them too much but then I think, no I don’t want them to end up like me.

"Ben will not be fit. Miles will be back in the squad. He is feeling a pinch in his hip flexor from overstretching but he has trained fully today, he is ready."

From the dugout

McPake on the match: "They've hit a good run of form at the right time as well because they went through a wee spell.

"I think it'll be a good game. It'll be two teams coming to try and make it four in a row, so, watch this, it'll be a boring draw!

"They'll be looking to try and cement third place for themselves. They'll be coming off the back of three good wins. They've got a big threat in Brian Graham as we know. I speak about him all the time; give him a second in the box, it's a goal. He's a player I've got real admiration for, for how long he's scored goals, and he continues to do it.

"They've got some other good players in the team as well. We've been working on the game plan all week. We know where they can hurt us, they'll know where they can hurt us as well, so I think it could be a good game."

Kyle Benedictus: "Partick are a great side and have always been there or thereabouts the play-offs every season. We know difficult it will be.

READ MORE: 'Hindsight is a big thing': Skipper focuses on task ahead in Pars play-off push

"The games we have played them this year have been tough, we will go and play our game and hopefully come out on top."

Today's match kicks off at 3pm. Press Sport will provide live updates, whilst tickets remain available online, and at the ground, until kick off.