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

Two teams at opposite ends of the Scottish Premiership table will meet on Sunday when Hearts travel to the Tony Macaroni Arena to play Livingston.

Both head into this match following a midweek defeat and each needs points for very different reasons, with the hosts in the relegation zone while the visitors are in the title race.

Match preview

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Livingston have recently slumped into the relegation zone due to their results, with the Lions currently only two points off bottom place, adding further pressure onto this match.

Even though they have Ross County breathing down their neck, the club is only one point behind St Johnstone, with a victory having the potential to lift them out.

However, David Martindale's team would need to win for the first time in five matches to make that happen, with the squad undergoing a difficult spell right now.

Livingston followed a trio of draws with consecutive defeats recently as they kicked off the December fixtures with a 2-0 loss against Aberdeen.

A goal in either side of the half proved to be enough for the Dons to secure the three points and things went from bad to worse for the Lions when Jackson Longridge was sent off.

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Despite the fact they are at the opposite end of the table in third, Hearts were also defeated in midweek when they faced Celtic, losing out 1-0.

It is a result that has left the team with more work to do if they want to remain in the title hunt as they now sit five points behind the Hoops and a further four away from Rangers.

The Jam Tarts have been inconsistent as of late, securing only two victories in their previous six fixtures with one draw and a trio of defeats in that period.

This match will likely be a welcomed fixture on paper for the club, with Hearts in a need to build a string of performances in the winter period to get back in the mix.

Robbie Nielson's men were dominant when they last faced Livingston, recording a 3-0 victory with a trio of different goalscorers which is something they will be keen to repeat.

Team News

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Livingston are guaranteed to have at least one change on Sunday due to the red card that Longridge was shown, which provides an opportunity for James Penrice to step in.

This switch could result in the Lions reverting to a flat-back four, rather than the three central defenders they were working with at the start of their midweek game.

Beni Baningime ended up missing out on the defeat that Hearts suffered against Celtic due to an ankle injury and that is something that will keep him out of the team on Sunday.

Liam Boyce was a strange omission for the Jam Tarts on Tuesday, but considering the lack of goals for them in that game, there is a chance he will return to the starting lineup here.

Livingston possible starting lineup:
Stryjek; Penrice, Parks, Obileye, Fitzwater; Omeonga, Holt, Devlin; Forrest, Bailey; Anderson

Hearts possible starting lineup:
Gordon; Kingsley, Halkett, Souttar, Smith; Devlin, Haring; McKay, McEneff, Woodburn; Boyce

We say: Livingston 0-2 Hearts

Livingston's form has been poor as of late and a fixture against Hearts is not the easiest way of solving that issue due to their current league position.

The visitors have confidence at the moment and shall be attempting to get back to winning ways immediately at the expense of the Lions.

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