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Preview: Livingston vs. Ross County - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Scottish Premiership fixture between Livingston and Ross County, including team news and predicted lineups.

Ross County make the trip to the Almondvale Stadium to face Livingston still sitting in third position in the Scottish Premiership table.

As for the home side, they head into the contest on Saturday afternoon without a win in five matches, their latest setback coming at the hands of improving Aberdeen.


Match preview

General view of Almondvale Stadium, home to Livingston, from 2005© Reuters

With Celtic still playing catch-up after the coronavirus misdemeanour of Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo, Ross County have managed to keep hold of the spot behind in-form Rangers and Hibernian.

However, having gone three matches without success, manager Stuart Kettlewell knows that his side must get back on track if they want to remain a threat at the top end of the division.

Having never finished higher than fifth position in their history, it will be acknowledged that County are currently punching above their weight, but a number of shrewd additions over the summer have helped the club put together a promising start.

Two of those players - Connor Randall and Alex Iacovitti - have emerged as key figures at the back, but County must improve at the other end of the pitch to fulfil their potential.

Just two points separate Kettlewell's side and seventh-placed Aberdeen, putting pressure on the Staggies to heap further misery on bottom-of-the-table Livingston.

Despite the improvements made over their last three fixtures, the Lions remain behind Motherwell and Kilmarnock on goal difference.

After shutting out Rangers in their previous match, Gary Holt would have been hugely frustrated with conceding two quick-fire goals to Aberdeen in the second half of their fixture last weekend.

Although they remain within two points of eighth place, Holt will recognise that they must take advantage of the opportunity to get out of the relegation zone with back-to-back home fixtures against County and Hamilton Academical on the horizon.

However, long-term improvements may not come until Holt makes firm decisions regarding his squad with 23 different players having been used since the start of the month.

Livingston Scottish Premiership form: LLDDL

Ross County Scottish Premiership form: WWDLD


Team News

Gary Holt in charge of Falkirk in November 2013© Reuters

Despite admitting his frustration to how his side conceded two goals against Aberdeen last weekend, Holt is unlikely to change his Livingston backline.

That will likely see Efe Ambrose and Monaco loanee Julien Serrano remain among the substitutes' bench.

Anthony Stokes is pushing for his first start in attack after his recent arrival.

Meanwhile, Coll Donaldson will hope to be fit for Ross County, despite being withdrawn with a knock last weekend.

Carl Tremarco is in line to make his first start of the season after impressing as a second-half substitute against St Mirren.

Regan Charles-Cook may also be brought in as an alternative to Harrison Paton.

Livingston possible starting lineup:
McCrorie; Devlin, Fitzwater, Guthrie, McMillan; Pittman, Bartley, Forrest, Sibbald, Holt; Robinson

Ross County possible starting lineup:
Laidlaw; Randall, Donaldson, Iacovitti, Tremarco; Draper, Vigurs; Gardyne, Charles-Cook, Stewart; McKay


SM words green background

We say: Livingston 1-1 Ross County

Given their respective form, we can only back this contest to end in a low-scoring draw. However, do not be surprised if the home team finally end their run of poor results after a number of encouraging performances.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals 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.Under 2.5:data

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Who will win Saturday's Scottish Premiership clash between Livingston and Ross County?

Livingston
Draw
Ross County
Livingston
0.0%
Draw
0.0%
Ross County
0.0%
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Carl Tremarco in action for Inverness in February 2014
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rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1RangersRangers65101101116
2Hibernian641183513
3Celtic4310102810
4Aberdeen43014229
5Ross County62226608
6St Mirren521235-27
7St Johnstone621347-37
8Dundee UnitedDundee Utd621348-47
9Kilmarnock61239905
10Livingston612359-45
11Hamilton AcademicalHamilton510429-73
12Motherwell602428-62

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