Dunfermline v Raith preview - watch Fife derby live on BBC tonight

WHAT HAPPENED
Raith Rovers travel to face local rivals Dunfermline Athletic in the Fife derby, a fixture being shown live on BBC Scotland and available on iPlayer. Raith go into the game second in the Championship, unbeaten in the league with two wins and a draw from their three opening matches.

Dunfermline have had a slower start to the new campaign, picking up two draws and a defeat at Livingston in their first three league outings. Both clubs progressed in parts of the League Cup campaign but failed to convert that form into deeper progression.

KEY CONTEXT
- Raith manager Dougie Imrie has overseen a quick squad overhaul this summer, bringing in 11 players while releasing 13, and says a difficult pre-season with early injuries forced him to manage with a reduced group.
- The addition of winger Scott Tiffoney — a player Imrie had pursued since January and who has prior Championship-level credentials with Partick Thistle — is highlighted as a key signing for Raith.
- Dunfermline reached the play-offs last season and were Scottish Cup runners-up after losing to Celtic, but have made a large turnover in personnel this summer: manager Neil Lennon reports 10 players out and nine in.

WHY IT MATTERS
The result will test whether Raith’s fast start can be sustained against a neighbouring side that has recent success in cup competition and ambitions to challenge in the division. Imrie’s focus on squad environment and integration of numerous recruits, plus how Dunfermline’s large summer changes bed in, are central themes for both clubs’ short-term trajectories.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Can Raith maintain their unbeaten league run, and what influence will Scott Tiffoney have on the side?
- Will injuries to Raith forwards George Oakley and Aaron Lyall ease, allowing greater selection options?
- How quickly Dunfermline’s new signings settle and whether Lennon’s belief that his team can be “in the mix” by season’s end translates into improved league results.

KEY FACTS
- Raith have seven points from their opening three Championship matches.
- Raith were unbeaten in regulation time during their League Cup group matches but did not reach the last 16.
- Raith signed Scott Tiffoney this summer; Imrie had pursued him since January.
- Dunfermline reached last season’s play-offs and were Scottish Cup finalists, losing to Celtic.
- Dunfermline’s league start: two draws and a defeat at Livingston; they reached the League Cup last 16 but were eliminated at home by Ross County.
- Imrie said he brought in 11 players and released 13 this summer; Lennon said 10 left and nine arrived at Dunfermline.