Preview: St Johnstone vs. Livingston - prediction, team news, lineups

While the hosts are propping up the league table with two points to their name, Livingston are only four points better off in 10th position.

Match preview

St Johnstone have made a poor start to Steven MacLean's first full season as manager, having drawn two and lost four of their opening six league matches.

After losing 2-0 to both Hearts and Ross County, the Saints finally got on the board with a hard-earned draw away to champions Celtic.

Another raw followed against Dundee, but St Johnstone have been unable to add to their tally since matchday four, having lost 2-0 against Rangers and Hibernian in their last two league outings.

St Johnstone are the only top-flight team yet to win a league game this season, while they are also the lowest scorers in the league.

With the Saints desperate to claim maximum points, they may be able to draw inspiration from their previous meeting with Livingston in May when goals from Drey Wright and Chris Kane guided them to a 2-0 home victory.

Livingston had to wait until matchday three to claim their first league win of the season after beginning the campaign with a goalless draw with Aberdeen and a 4-0 defeat to Rangers.

After beating Hibernian at the end of August, Livingston began September with consecutive 1-1 draws against St Mirren and Ross County, before their three-game unbeaten run was brought to an end by a 3-0 home defeat to Celtic.

Another heavy loss followed in midweek when Livingston's hopes of reaching the Scottish League Cup semi-finals were crushed by Rangers, who cruised to a 4-0 victory over Livingston for the second time this season.

Having failed to win any of their four competitive games in September, Livingston will have one final chance to avoid finishing the month without a win when they travel to Perth this weekend.

Ahead of the away trip, David Martindale will be challenging his players to stay focused for the full 90 minutes after seeing his side concede six league goals in the final 15 minutes of games this season - more than any other team in the top flight.

St Johnstone Scottish Premiership form:

L

L

D

D

L

L

Livingston Scottish Premiership form:

D

L

W

D

D

L

Livingston form (all competitions):

W

W

D

D

L

L

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Team News

The hosts are unable to call upon the services of Callum Booth, Diallang Jaiyesimi, Nicky Clark and Alistair Crawford.

After missing the defeat against Hibernian, captain Liam Gordon and Kane are doubts for Saturday's home fixture.

Midfielder Maksym Kucheryavyi is in contention for a recall after dropping down to the bench for the defeat to Hibernian.

As for the visitors, Michael Nottingham and Cristian Montano are doubts, as they continue to recover from Achilles and calf injuries respectively.

Livingston will hope to have defender Mikey Devlin back available after missing the last two matches through injury.

Andrew Shinnie, Scott Pittman and Bruce Anderson could all be brought into the side for Saturday's away trip.

St Johnstone possible starting lineup:

Mitov; Brown, McClelland, Considine, Robinson; Wright, Kicheryavyi, Sprangler, Phillips, Carey; May

Livingston possible starting lineup:

George; De Lucas, Obileye, Devlin; Brandon, Holt, Shinnie, Penrice; Pittman, Nouble; Guthrie

We say: St Johnstone 1-1 Livingston

With both of their two league defeats taking place against Celtic and Rangers, Livingston will be confident about their chances of claiming a positive result against struggling St Johnstone.

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