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

The hosts are already well into the competitive swing of things due to their League Cup commitments, while this will be Aberdeen's first outing of the season.

Match preview

Livingston comfortably stayed up last season despite being in the Relegation Group.

A relatively good regular season showing meant that just four points from their five games after the league had split was enough to keep them up with no fuss.

The side finished 12 points clear of trouble and were never truly embroiled in the eventual four-team scrap against the drop.

This season, Livingston have kicked off their campaign with a strong showing in the League Cup.

David Martindale's men are safely through to the knockouts after three wins and a draw from their first four games.

Brechin City, Cove Rangers and Clyde were all beaten to nil on their way to reaching the next round, after Livingston started the season with three friendly wins, all again without conceding.

Like Livingston, Aberdeen also collected just four points from a possible 15 after the league's split.

However, that was still enough for the side to confirm their place in Europa League qualifying.

Despite finishing with a -4 goal difference, Barry Robson's men were still able to hang on to third despite some shaky spells of form throughout the season.

The final few weeks of the Jim Goodwin era threatened the club with a battle in the Relegation Group.

An absolutely embarrassing defeat to semi-pro Darvel in the Scottish Cup was followed up by 6-0 and 4-0 losses to Hibernian and Celtic.

Once Robson came in to replace Goodwin though, Aberdeen went on to win seven in a row, almost guaranteeing a third-placed finish before the start of the Championship Group.

Preston North End have been the only side to beat Aberdeen in pre-season, as an impressive first-half showing saw them beat Charlton Athletic 3-2 in their final friendly.

Livingston form (all competitions):

Aberdeen form (all competitions):

Team News

Michael Devlin has joined from Hibs this summer and featured in all four of Livingston's League Cup matches to start the season.

Getting game time is vital for Devlin, who has only played a total of four league games in the last three seasons.

Mohammed Sangare and Michael Nottingham are two more players who have arrived at the club, but the duo may both start on the bench here.

Aberdeen have been very busy in the transfer market, bringing in seven players so far.

Nicky Devlin should make his debut for the club after arriving from their upcoming opponents over the summer.

The right-back made 132 appearances over the past three seasons for Livingston, but decided to move on on a free.

Liverpool loanee Leighton Clarkson should also start, and there could be a first appearance in Aberdeen colours for Serb Slobodan Rubezic after joining from Novi Pazar last week.

Also, Bojan Miovski returned from injury to score against Charlton in his first start for two months last week

Livingston possible starting lineup:

George; M Devlin, Obileye, Parkes; Montano, A Shinnie, Holt, Penrice; Anderson, Guthrie, Kelly

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:

Roos; G Shinnie, MacDonald, Mackenzie; N Devlin, Clarkson, Ramadani, Morris, Hayes; Miovski, Duk

We say: Livingston 1-2 Aberdeen

Aberdeen's upturn under Robson last season means they are well worthy of their title as the best of the rest behind the Glasgow giants.

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