MX23RW : Monday, February 1 14:28:35| >> :120:83207:83207:
Jan 27, 2021 at 7.45pm UK at Almondvale Stadium
LivingstonLivingston
2-0
KilmarnockKilmarnock
Kabia (89'), Pittman (90')
Bartley (40'), Devlin (86')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Power (19'), Haunstrup (69'), McKenzie (84')

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

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

Livingston bounce back to earth this Wednesday after their League Cup semi-final triumph over St Mirren at the weekend, welcoming Kilmarnock to West Lothian in the Scottish Premiership.

Livi are now up to fifth in the league table after a remarkable run of good form since David Martindale took over as manager, and Killie will not find this game easy.


Match preview

Livingston's Marvin Bartley in action with Rangers forward Alfredo Morelos in August 2020© Reuters

Livingston will need to re-focus after a 1-0 win over St Mirren at Hampden Park on Sunday afternoon secured their place in the Scottish League Cup final.

That result was fitting reward for manager David Martindale, who has overseen an extraordinary turnabout in the club's fortunes since taking over as manager from Gary Holt in November.

Martindale, who never played football at a professional level and has served a prison sentence for organised crime activities, has steered the club through an 11-match unbeaten run that has included two draws with Celtic as well as Sunday's semi-final victory.

That run has seen them climb right up to fifth in the Premiership table, eight points behind fourth-placed Hibernian, and the challenge now is to maintain momentum.

The last time these two sides met, on Boxing Day last year, Livi won 2-1 at Rugby Park, so the Lions have reason to feel confident.

Kilmarnock head into this game on the back of a week off, but their recent form has been marked by inconsistency.

In their last three games, Alex Dyer's side have lost at Hibernian, won at Hamilton Academical and drawn at home to St Mirren.

Now in seventh place in the table, they are five points above the relegation places and eight away from Livingston in fifth, meaning that results now are crucial in shaping which way their season goes.

Killie have failed to score in five of their last six away league matches, a depressing stat that shows they need to work on their attack if they want to start climbing the league ladder.

They have also lost five of their last six away league matches, so some resilience is necessary this Wednesday if they want to travel back to Ayrshire with something to show for their efforts.

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

Kilmarnock Scottish Premiership form: LLWDWL


Team News

Kilmarnock manager Alex Dyer pictured on August 22, 2020© Reuters

Livingston's South African midfielder Keaghan Jacobs remains sidelined with a foot injury that might keep him out until the middle of next month.

Alan Lithgow continues his recovery from a hip injury but is unlikely to feature against Killie this week.

It remains to be seen if Martindale will freshen up his squad after Sunday's exertions at Hampden Park.

For Kilmarnock, Irishman Gary Dicker has been recovering from a knock sustained in December but did not feature in the team's last outing at Hibernian.

Other than that, Killie boss Alex Dyer has a full squad from which to make his selection.

Livingston possible starting lineup:
Stryjek; Devlin, Ambrose, Guthrie, Serrano; Mullin, Holt, Bartley, Pittman, Sibbald; Robinson

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
Rogers; McGowan, Dikamona, Findlay, Haunstrup; Mulumbu; Pinnock, Power, Tshibola, Kiltie; Whitehall


SM words green background

We say: Livingston 1-0 Kilmarnock

Livi look unstoppable at the moment under the leadership of Martindale, and we expect their good run to continue against Killie with a 1-0 win.

Although the Lions may have some tired legs in the squad after Sunday, they also possess supreme confidence at the moment, and that should be sufficient to take them to a narrow victory over a team that struggles away from Rugby Park.


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:432108:cQx

How you voted: Livingston vs Kilmarnock

Livingston
76.9%
Draw
5.1%
Kilmarnock
17.9%
39
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Hibernian manager Jack Ross pictured in October 2020
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rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1RangersRangers2623306675972
2Celtic24147351203149
3Aberdeen2512853124744
4Hibernian26127735251043
5Livingston2510693229336
6St Mirren2385102326-329
7Dundee UnitedDundee Utd26610102036-1628
8St Johnstone2669112535-1027
9Kilmarnock2573152633-724
10Motherwell2457122136-1522
11Ross County2655161950-3120
12Hamilton AcademicalHamilton2454152149-2819

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