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

The Dons were thumped 4-0 away to league-leading Celtic last Saturday while Livingston shipped three unanswered goals at home to Rangers on the same day.

Match preview

Interim manager Barry Robson was in charge for the dismal showing at Celtic Park last weekend, lamenting the "fragility" which quickly flooded back into a side enduring a dismal run of form.

Aberdeen have lost six of their last seven matches across all competitions, shipping 14 goals in their previous four games.

The undoubted nadir of this treacherous sequence came in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup when sixth-tier Darvel, minnows that play in the non-professional West of Scotland Premier Division, earned a famous 1-0 win at Aberdeen's expense in January.

Robson, who has aspirations for the permanent role which will be decided after the weekend, dedicated Saturday's encounter to the club's chairman Dave Cormack as he undergoes major heart surgery on Friday.

Aberdeen could leapfrog Livingston with a victory at Pittodrie, as the Dons go into the contest three points below their sixth-placed visitors.

Livingston fell behind to two James Tavernier set-piece specials either side of half time last weekend but admirably stifled Rangers between both goals - the second of which was a free kick so spectacular that Gers left-back Borna Barisic joined the crowd in applause.

Livi's only league defeats since Christmas have both been dished out by the Old Firm - although David Martindale's side was knocked out of the Scottish Cup by second-tier Inverness Caledonian Thistle at the start of February.

Dead-ball deliveries may once again prove crucial for Livingston, a side whose chance creation leans heavily upon free kicks and corners, when they come up against an Aberdeen team that has conceded the most set-piece goals in the Premiership this season.

The Dons have also given away a league-high 11 penalties but may be able to afford another concession against their upcoming visitors; Livi have missed six of their eight spot kicks this term, including each of the last five they have earned.

Livingston's heaviest defeat of the season came on the club's most recent trip to Pittodrie, losing 5-0 to Aberdeen but only conceding after Jack Fitzwater was sent off in the final five minutes of the first half.

Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form:

W

L

L

L

W

L

Aberdeen form (all competitions):

L

L

L

L

W

L

Livingston Scottish Premiership form:

W

W

D

L

W

L

Livingston form (all competitions):

W

D

L

W

L

L

Team News

Aberdeen's Ross McCrorie is back from suspension after sitting out the last two matches and Celtic loanee Liam Scales should be available once again following the watching brief he was restricted to against his parent club.

Connor Barron is the only fitness concern for Robson this weekend as the midfielder, who missed the first two months of the season with a knee injury, is back in the treatment room.

Martindale may have vehemently disagreed with Stephane Omeonga's second yellow card but the Belgian midfielder was given his marching orders against Rangers, sidelining him this Saturday.

Jamie Brandon is nearing the conclusion of a draining recovery process from a groin problem but is highly unlikely to earn his first start of the season this weekend - if he is fit enough to make the squad at all.

Tom Parkes missed the entirety of 2022 for Livingston but is targeting a return from his severe knee injury in March.

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:

Gorter; Pollock, MacDonald, MacKenzie; Kennedy, Ramadani, Clarkson, Shinnie, Hayes; Miovski, Duk

Livingston possible starting lineup:

George; Devlin, Fitzwater, Obileye, Penrice; Pittman, Kelly, Holt; Bradley, Montano; Nouble

We say: Aberdeen 1-2 Livingston

The first goal on Saturday afternoon may prove to be decisive given these two clubs have earned a combined three points from losing positions all season.

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