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

Livingston will be hoping to get themselves off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership on Saturday when they welcome Motherwell to the Tony Macaroni Arena.

Similarly to the hosts, the Steelmen are also without a victory in the league so far this season, bringing together two teams in the need for three points.

Match preview

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Livingston have had a tough start to the league, suffering two defeats, conceding five goals in the process, although those fixtures were against two title contenders in Rangers and Aberdeen.

However, David Martindale's squad currently find themselves bottom of the table and a long way from the sixth place that they finished the 2020-21 campaign in.

Despite the poor form in the league, the Lions were able to progress in the Scottish League Cup, which is a feat that Motherwell were unable to achieve.

Livingston knocked out St Mirren, although Alan Forrest's goal was not enough to secure the victory in normal time as an 82nd-minute strike from the opposition forced the game to penalties, which they were able to win 4-3.

While the Lions were able to get into next round, the victory did mark the fourth game in a row where Martindale's men failed to keep a clean sheet, which will be a point to address for the team.

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However, Livingston are not the only team that have been struggling for form, with Motherwell being unable to pick up a victory since July.

The Steelmen have drawn and been beaten in their opening two Scottish Premiership matches, with their most recent outing being a 1-0 defeat against Dundee in the Scottish League Cup.

Despite the defeat, Graham Alexander urged the fans to continue supporting his new-look side, stating that they will not change the way they approach things heading into the clash with Livingston.

Motherwell will take confidence from the fact that they defeated Livingston both home and away last season, scoring five goals across the two games which they would like to repeat this time around.

Team News

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Despite making a costly mistake against Aberdeen in the last minute, Max Stryjek ended up being the hero in the Scottish League Cup, with Martindale praising his goalkeeper heavily after the game, making it clear he was never in consideration to be dropped.

However, the Lions will still be without Jack McMillan and Jaze Kabia who are unavailable with knee injuries, which are both long-term problems.

Keaghan Jacobs returned to the squad in the Scottish League Cup, though, while Marvin Bartley could be set to make his first appearance of the season following the end of his suspension.

As for Motherwell, Tony Watt was left out of the starting lineup against Dundee, despite scoring in the previous game, and he could be set to make his return for the visitors on Saturday.

Steve Lawless was given an opportunity in the Scottish League Cup and may retain his place in the side, while Darragh O'Connor is still yet to make his debut for Alexander's squad.

Livingston possible starting lineup:
Stryjek; Devlin, Fitzwater, Obileye, Longridge; Holt, Pittman, Sibbald; Anderson, Forrest, Jacobs

Motherwell possible starting lineup:
Kelly; Grimshaw, Ojala, Lamie, Carroll; Slattery, Maguire, Lawless, Donnelly; Watt, Woolery

We say: Livingston 2-2 Motherwell

This game features two teams in poor form at the moment and while both of them need to pick up a victory here, there is a good chance that they will instead cancel each other out.

A draw would not be the worst result for either squad and the fact they both have legitimate threats in attack and have not been strong defensively will likely lead to goals taking place.