MX23RW : Wednesday, February 3 07:52:09| >> :120:38554:38554:

Preview: Livingston vs. Aberdeen - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Scottish Premiership clash between Livingston and Aberdeen, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Livingston, still on a high after reaching the League Cup final at the weekend, will be hoping to continue their extraordinary run of form when they welcome Aberdeen to West Lothian on Saturday.

For the Dons, the season continues to stutter as they struggle to find consistency while the pressure mounts on manager Derek McInnes.


Match preview

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes pictured in August 2020© Reuters

The good news just keeps coming for Livingston boss David Martindale. Not only did his team beat St Mirren last weekend to reach the League Cup final, but his team's Scottish Premiership form continues to be excellent.

Livi have not lost a game since Martindale took over from Gary Holt in November, winning 10 of 12 matches in all competitions.

The only games that the Lions have failed to win have both been draws against Celtic, and they head into the weekend on the back of a fine 2-0 home win over Kilmarnock in midweek.

There has been other good news for Martindale too, with the Livi boss being certified as a 'fit and proper' person to work in football following an SFA investigation.

Martindale has served a prison sentence for organised crime activities in the past, but he has successfully put that behind him.

Only three managers in Scotland have enjoyed better starts to their managerial careers - Martin O'Neill at Celtic, Bill Struth at Rangers and Dave Shaw at Aberdeen.

The contrast with Derek McInnes is pretty sharp right now, with Aberdeen fans reportedly unhappy with how the Dons' season is progressing.

The Dons were hammered by Ross County less than two weeks ago, and have not exactly set the heather alight since then.

A solid 2-0 home win over Motherwell, who were reduced to 10 men in the 48th minute of the game, was followed by an underwhelming midweek goalless draw at St Johnstone.

Things are not looking especially positive behind the scenes at the club either, with chairman Dave Cormack reportedly set to apply for a government crisis loan to cover a COVID-19 related shortfall in the club's finances.

The recent announcement that forward Scott Wright will depart for Rangers at the end of the season has also caused consternation among fans.

McInnes needs to win to get some sense of momentum back into his team's season, so facing a team as confident as Livi right now is far from ideal.

Livingston Scottish Premiership form: WWWDDW
Livingston form (all competitions): WWDDWW

Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form: WDLLWD


Team News

Scott Wright pictured for Aberdeen against Viking FK in September 2020© Reuters

David Martindale has a strong hand when it comes to selection this weekend, with no new additions to the injury or suspension list.

Keaghan Jacobs is still out with an ankle injury until at least mid-February, while Alan Lithgow has a hip problem that looks likely to keep him out for a couple of weeks yet.

For Aberdeen, Tommie Hoban should be available again after leaving the action early against St Johnstone with a head cut.

Funso Ojo was missing in midweek and it looks likely that he will join Wigan Athletic on loan soon.

Dylan McGeouch is still out with a groin injury and Michael Devlin looks set to continue his spell on the sidelines thanks to an ankle problem.

Livingston possible starting lineup:
Stryjek; Devlin, Fitzwater, Guthrie, Brown; Bartley, Holt; Mullin, Pitman, Forrest; Reilly

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Lewis; Hoban, Taylor, Considine; Hayes, Ferguson, McCrorie, Kennedy; Wright, Hedges; Cosgrove


SM words green background

We say: Livingston 1-0 Aberdeen

At the moment, it is hard to see Livingston losing a game, given the run that they are on, and we expect them to enjoy a narrow win over the Dons this weekend.

A 1-0 result in the home side's favour will do little to ease the pressure on Derek McInnes and the Dons.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Away:data


ID:432528:cQx

How you voted: Livingston vs Aberdeen

Livingston
41.8%
Draw
26.5%
Aberdeen
31.8%
170
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Scott Wright pictured for Aberdeen against Viking FK in September 2020
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Derek McInnes pleased with Scott Wright's commitment
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rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1RangersRangers2623306675972
2Celtic25157355203552
3Hibernian27137737261146
4Aberdeen2612863126544
5Livingston2611693429539
6St Mirren2485112428-429
7Dundee UnitedDundee Utd26610102036-1628
8St Johnstone2669112535-1027
9Kilmarnock2673162637-1124
10Motherwell2457122136-1522
11Ross County2655161950-3120
12Hamilton AcademicalHamilton2454152149-2819

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