MX23RW : Tuesday, January 12 06:25:55| >> :120:46247:46247:
Jan 10, 2021 at 3pm UK at Almondvale Stadium
LivingstonLivingston
3-1
Ross CountyRoss County
Robinson (9'), Forrest (81'), Hamilton (90+1')
Holt (11')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Lakin (28')
Tillson (12'), Iacovitti (30'), Draper (52'), Paton (58')

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

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

Livingston will look to secure their sixth win on the bounce in the Scottish Premiership when they host bottom-of-the-league Ross County at the Almondvale Stadium on Saturday.

However, despite being in the midst of a relegation dogfight, the struggling Staggies have picked up four points in their last two league outings and will be eager to cause an upset in West Lothian.


Match preview

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

With 15 points from a possible 15 under new full-time boss David Martindale, Livingston's renaissance appears to be in full bloom.

Surging up the table and scoring for fun, the Lions are also on the hunt for silverware, with a place in the Scottish League Cup final up for grabs later this month.

First things first though, Martindale's men will have to find a way to get the better of Ross County if they want to keep the honeymoon going.

Such a feat will not seem too daunting for Livingston, who bested the Staggies 2-0 in the cup at the Almondvale Stadium just a few weeks ago.

However, fans who have not completely blocked out the days prior to Martindale's formal appointment will recall that the Lions were held to a 1-1 draw when they played Ross County at Victoria Park earlier this season.

Despite the Lions' change in fortunes, Ross County boss John Hughes will undoubtedly look to use this result to inspire his side ahead of the game.

Things are unquestionably tight at the bottom of the league and, although the Staggies are currently rooted to the foot of the table, it is not as if Hughes's men have not turned a corner of their own.

When they beat Hibernian recently, the Staggies ended a 12-match winless run. The team followed this up with a draw against St Johnstone last time out.

Livingston Scottish Premiership form: LWWWWW
Livingston form (all competitions): WWWWWW

Ross County Scottish Premiership form: LLLLWD
Ross County form (all competitions): LLLLWD


Team News

John Hughes in charge of Hibernian in 2010© Reuters

Despite gearing up for the first of 11 games in just 35 days, Martindale has made it clear that his team selection would not be impacted by their congested schedule.

Of course, Martindale is likely to still be without Alan Lithgow and Keaghan Jacobs, who are both nursing injuries.

Knowing that recruitment could be the key to his side's survival this season, John Hughes bemoaned the latest lockdown restrictions this week, believing that they could negatively impact any activity in the transfer market.

On a more positive note for Hughes, it is thought that Callum Morris and Carl Tremarco could feature on Saturday, however, Ross Stewart's return seems less likely.

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

Ross County possible starting lineup:
Laidlaw; Naismith, Watson, Donaldson, Tremarco; Vigurs, Paton, Draper, Kelly, Hylton; Shaw


SM words green background

We say: Livingston 3-0 Ross County

Livingston are looking lean and hungry in this new Martindale era and it is difficult to see how the Staggies plan to emerge from this tie with their pride intact. We are predicting a goal-fest in West Lothian.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 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.Over 1.5:data


ID:429485:cQx

How you voted: Livingston vs Ross County

Livingston
80.0%
Draw
20.0%
Ross County
0.0%
20
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Callum Davidson pictured in 2018
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St Johnstone boss Callum Davidson laments slow start against Ross County
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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1RangersRangers2321205965365
2Celtic20135246163044
3Aberdeen2111642820839
4Hibernian2310763124737
5Livingston219392827130
6Dundee UnitedDundee Utd226881727-1026
7Kilmarnock2273122426-224
8St Mirren206591623-723
9St Johnstone2247111931-1219
10Motherwell2146111832-1418
11Hamilton AcademicalHamilton2253142147-2618
12Ross County2345141442-2817

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