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A thrilling, three-way, final-day battle to avoid the relegation play-off spot is in store as the Scottish Championship concludes its 27-match, Covid-19 hit season on Friday.

Hearts have long won the title, Raith Rovers, Dundee and Dunfermline Athletic are all assured of a place in the promotion play-offs, and Alloa Athletic are consigned to automatic relegation.

However, for Arbroath, Ayr United and Greenock Morton, it is all about avoiding being the club that enters the relegation play-offs with the sides finishing second, third and fourth in Scotland's third tier.

Arbroath and Morton meet at Gayfield, with the ninth-placed visitors a point adrift of the part-time Angus side and behind Ayr on goal difference.

Arbroath have won two of their last four, including a 4-0 towsing of Ayr, while Morton travel north without a win in five league games and knowing that a fourth draw in a row might not be enough.

They have also failed to score against their hosts in a draw and defeat this term.

Ayr, meanwhile, head to Inverness without a win in six and having drawn and lost this season to their hosts, who have themselves failed to win in their latest four games.

Adding intrigue is the fact that former Scotland midfielder David Hopkin has - this season - been in charge of both Morton and now Ayr.

Weekend victories for Dundee and Dunfermline ended the hopes of Inverness CT and Queen of the South and the former could enhance their promotion chances with a win at Palerston on Friday.

Three points - coupled with Raith failing to beat Hearts - would ensure James McPake's side finish second and avoid the play-off quarter-finals, which would be between Raith and Dunfermline.

However, a Raith win in the live ´óÏó´«Ã½ Scotland game at Stark's Park would ensure they claim that prize.

Dundee are the form team at present, though, and are unbeaten in five after edging Rovers 2-1 on Saturday. They travel to Palmerston having won on their last visit and face hosts without a win in five.

Dunfermline are also unbeaten in five but are without a win in 12 trips away from East End Park. However, they have won both meetings so far this season with an Alloa side without a win in six games.

Rovers' defeat in Dundee ended a run of six league games unbeaten and John McGlynn's side will be keen to avenge a 4-0 defeat on Hearts' last visit to Kirkcaldy in January - and will take confidence from a win over the champions at Tynecastle earlier in the season.

Although Friday concludes the 27-match season, there's still a long way to go before we know whether another Championship side will join Hearts in the top flight next season - or another will drop down with Alloa.