The postponement of games involving all three sides immediately below them gives Dundee United, already 14 points clear of Inverness, the chance to extend that further as they visit third bottom Partick Thistle.

United, unbeaten in 11 games, are seeking a sixth consecutive away win.

Greenock Morton are tied on points with Thistle at the moment, but a victory for those two would take them level with today's visitors, Dunfermline Athletic, who currently lie fifth. That just shows how tight the second tier is.

The Pars, looking to avoid a fifth consecutive defeat, would move to within a point of Dundee should they take the three points at Cappielow.

Brechin City are in danger of a third consecutive relegation and becoming the third club to drop out of the SPFL since the pyramid system was introduced.

BBC Scotland spoke to chairman Ken Ferguson ahead of today's visit to Stenhousemuir - the side who relegated them last season before themselves losing in the play-offs - and found him in defiant mood.

Dundee United's new signing, former Orlando City midfielder Dillon Powers, makes his debut at Firhill, with defender Kieran Freeman, who has returned from Southampton, on the bench.

Scotland midfielder Leanne Crichton, who hosts the Championship coverage on the BBC Scotland TV channel, has been looking forward to the second half of the season in the Championship. Are Dundee United guaranteed champions? Are Alloa already doomed?

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland at Cappielow

Game on here at continental Cappielow. Pitch is heavy with rain, but this match was never in danger of being called off; not even a pitch inspection.

The home team won at Arbroath last time out, so manager David Hopkin goes with the same XI.

Dunfermline are struggling for form, having lost their last four. Greg Kiltie’s loan from Kilmarnock has ended, but Dom Thomas goes in the other direction and goes straight into the team, one of three changes the side who lost at home to Ayr. Ethan Ross and Kyle Turner drop to the bench, with Gabriel McGill and Euan Murray coming in.

Today’s referee, who had no problem declaring the pitch playable, is Barry Cook

Alloa Athletic fought a fruitless battle from early morning to clear a large puddle covering one corner flag at Indodrill Stadium, their efforts thwarted by a local drainage system that couldn't cope with the downpour.

Image source, BBC Sport

Premiership sides, of course, are on their winter break, but it isn't all about training sessions with the sun on their backs - there are some bounce games too and Rangers today recorded an impressive 6-1 hammering of Uzbekistan Champions Lokomotiv Tashkent in Dubai.

Jermain Defoe and Sheyi Ojo had Steven Gerrard's side 2-0 up at half-time and, after a completely different XI took to the field after the break, Steven Davis and James Tavernier found the net before Abdullaziz Yusupov puled a goal back.

However, Rangers finished with a flourish thanks to two late goals from Greg Stewart, the first from the penalty spot.

If you want your fill of Premiership news, click the link to read this morning's round-up of tittle tattle from this morning's newspapers.

Rangers, Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibernian, St Johnstone and Ross County all get mentions - including some more extraordinary claims from former Tynecastle owner Vladimir Romanov direct from his private submarine!

Meanwhile, it looks like Lewis Morgan is closer to joining David Beckham's Inter Miami from Celtic.

So far, waterlogged pitches have taken account of seven of today's scheduled games, including Championship promotion battles at Dens Park, Caledonian Stadium and Indodrill Stadium.

Games off

Scottish Championship: Alloa Athletic v Arbroath, Dundee v Ayr United, Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Queen of the South

Scottish League One: Dumbarton v Clyde, Stranraer v Montrose

Scottish League Two: Cowdenbeath v Albion Rovers, Stirling Albion v Cove Rangers

The build-up to this afternoon's games has already begun on Sportsound, BBC Radio Scotland FM, with former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart and former Hearts coach Jon Daly among the guests.

Full commentary of Partick Thistle v Dundee United from Firhill will follow.

Image source, SNS

Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of today's Scottish Professional Football League fixtures - well, those that remain after the programme was decimated by call-offs that is.

We'll give you goal updates from the remaining eight games from the Championship, League One and League Two.

Image source, SNS