Preview: Livingston vs. Dundee United - prediction, team news, lineups

Livingston host Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday looking to win their first league match in six and move four points clear of the relegation zone.

Dundee United, meanwhile, are looking towards the other end of the table and could go five league matches unbeaten if they avoid defeat.

Match preview

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Livingston booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Scottish League Cup as they cruised to a 4-0 victory over Ayr United last weekend.

Caretaker boss David Martindale was in the dugout for the first time, following the resignation of Gary Holt last week and he will be keen for his side to replicate their cup form in the Scottish Premiership.

The Lions have won all five of their League Cup matches this season, scoring a combined 19 goals, with four strikes in each of their last three matches.

Livingston however have lost four of their last five league games and have slipped to 10th in the table, four points clear of Hamilton who sit bottom.

Victory on Saturday would be their first since October and could move them up one place above Ross County to ninth.

Dundee United have endured a difficult week as it was announced that the entire first-team coaching staff, including manager Micky Mellon, have been placed into self-isolation as three non-playing members of staff tested positive for coronavirus.

Academy coach Thomas Courts along with other youth team staff members will now take charge of first-team training sessions.

On the pitch however, the Tangerines have been performing well and are on a run of seven matches without defeat in all competitions.

Dundee United are aiming to win back-to-back Scottish Premiership fixtures for the first time since February 2016 after beating Hamilton 2-1 last weekend.

Saturday will see Dundee United play their first top-flight away match at Livingston since April 2006, after losing both of their previous two visits.

Victory for the Tangerines would be their sixth in the league this campaign and could move them three points behind Hibernian in fourth if they were to lose to Motherwell.

Livingston Scottish Premiership form: WLLLDL

Livingston form (all competitions): LDWWLW

Dundee United Scottish Premiership form: DLDWDW

Dundee United form (all competitions): DDWDWW

Team News

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Livingston goalkeeper Robby McCrorie is ruled out as he has tested positive for coronavirus.

Centre-back Ciaron Brown and left-back Julien Serrano could come back into the starting eleven and replace Jack Fitzwater and Steve Lawson.

Dundee United forward Logan Chalmers remains the only player out of contention for the home side, although the 20-year-old is close to a return to first-team action.

Wing-backs Luke Bolton and Jamie Robson could be recalled to the starting lineup to replace Liam Smith and Adrian Sporle, who both started the last match.

Livingston possible starting lineup:

Stryjek; Devlin, Brown, Ambrose, Serrano; Bartley, Holt; Robinson, Pittman, Forrest; Emmanuel-Thomas

Dundee United possible starting lineup:

Siegrist; Bolton, Connolly, Edwards, Reynolds, Robson; Fuchs, Butcher, Harkes; Clark, Shankland

We say: Livingston 2-2 Dundee United

Both sides have looked threatening in the final third so far this campaign and look set to do so once again on Saturday. Dundee United are in good form but with Livingston desperate for results in the league, they could make it difficult for the visitors.

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