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

The Jambos come into this one following a defeat to Rangers in midweek, while Livingston travel to Edinburgh on the back of two consecutive victories.

Match preview

Hearts have enjoyed a decent Scottish Premiership campaign in 2022-23, sitting fifth in the table on 20 points with 14 matches played under Robbie Neilson.

Their recent form has been encouraging, though they lost out in their last encounter against Rangers at Ibrox as a goal from Malik Tillman gifted the hosts a 1-0 win on Wednesday evening.

Nevertheless, Hearts have three home games on the bounce to come, which will give manager Neilson encouragement as they look to make a bid for continental qualification this season.

One aspect of Hearts' game that will need to improve to continue on the right track is their clean sheet record, as they have not recorded any since defeating Motherwell 3-0 back in September in a run spanning 11 matches.

Winning this weekend could take Hearts as high as third in the Scottish Premiership table, depending on other results.

Livingston make the trip to Tynecastle in a good place and occupy fourth in the Scottish Premiership going into the Hearts clash this weekend.

David Martindale has once again shown his side can punch above their weight in the division, leading the Lions to two consecutive victories in their last two matches.

In their most recent league outing, Livingston got the better of Aberdeen by a score of 2-1, as strikes from Jack Fitzwater and Sean Kelly cancelled out a Luis Lopes reply from the spot.

Defensively, Livingston have been excellent throughout the campaign, conceding the fewest goals in the league outside of Celtic and Rangers with just 19.

Going to Hearts on Saturday, Martindale will fancy his chances of springing another impressive result as his side look to keep moving in the right direction.

Hearts Scottish Premiership form:

D

L

L

W

W

L

Hearts form (all competitions):

L

W

W

L

W

L

Livingston Scottish Premiership form:

L

W

D

L

W

W

Team News

Jorge Grant will miss the Livingston clash this weekend through suspension as an appeal against his red card against Motherwell was not overturned.

Beni Baningime and Liam Boyce will also be absent for the tie owing to long-term cruciate injuries.

Stephen Humphrys misses out with an ankle knock, while Gary Mackay-Steven is ruled out with a fractured foot. Peter Haring is unavailable because of a concussion, while Craig Halkett and Stephen Kingsley will once again not partake.

On the other hand, Livingston will be missing Tom Parkes and Jamie Brandon as both players are sidelined due to injuries.

Jason Holt and Shamal George risk suspension should they pick up a booking during the tie.

Hearts possible starting lineup:

Gordon; Smith, Sibbick, Rowles, Cochrane; Snodgrass, Devlin; Ginnelly, Halliday, Atkinson, Shankland

Livingston possible starting lineup:

George; Devlin, Obileye, Fitzwater, Montano; Kelly, Holt; Bahamboula, Pittman, Nouble, Anderson

We say: Hearts 2-1 Livingston

In a game between two evenly-matched opponents, we expect a tight affair that will go right to the wire.

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