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

The visitors, meanwhile, threw away a two-goal lead to fall to a 3-2 defeat to Hearts on Tuesday evening.

Match preview

Having worked wonders to return to Scotland's top flight within less than a decade following their demotion to the bottom tier in 2009, Livingston will be hugely concerned that their six-year stay in the Premiership may be coming to an end.

The Lions have collected just two points from their last 13 league games, meaning they will head into their home game against Dundee cut six points adrift at the bottom of the table. From late October to mid-December, David Martindale's side even failed to score in seven successive fixtures.

They appear to have rediscovered their goalscoring touch to some extent in more recent outings, at least, scoring in defeats to Motherwell and Hearts. They also defeated Raith Rovers 2-1 in the Scottish FA Cup last weekend, with Jamie Brandon and Daniel MacKay completing the hosts' comeback after Jack Hamilton's early strike.

However, Martindale and his players will recognise that time is running out to save themselves dropping back into the second tier, and they must start putting points on the board sooner rather than later if they are to stand any chance of escaping their current predicament.

Dundee, of course, bounced back from the Championship at the first attempt by winning Scotland's second tier last season. The Dee have become a bit of a yo-yo team in recent seasons, having suffered four relegations from Scotland's top flight within the last two decades.

Despite changing managers after Gary Bowyer's departure last May, Tony Docherty has steadied the ship somewhat to guide Dundee to 22 points from their opening 19 matches. As a result, they hold a four-point lead ahead of Ross County, who currently occupy the first relegation spot.

Surviving another relegation will be Dundee's only real aim for this campaign, especially having been knocked out the FA Cup by Kilmarnock last weekend. Docherty's side appeared to be on the cusp of an excellent victory away to third-placed Hearts in midweek, but three second half goals turned the match in the hosts' favour.

As such, Docherty - who is undertaking his first ever managerial role after being an assistant at Kilmarnock and St Johnstone - will be demanding an instant reaction from his players when they arrive at the least in-form team in the division on Saturday.

Livingston Scottish Premiership form:

D

L

L

D

L

L

Livingston form (all competitions):

L

L

D

L

L

W

Dundee Scottish Premiership form:

D

L

W

L

D

L

Dundee form (all competitions):

L

W

L

D

L

L

Team News

Livingston appear to have a clean bill of health at present, meaning Martindale is free to select what he considers to be his strongest XI at this moment in time. Bruce Anderson and MacKay could come into contention to start after coming off the bench against Raith last weekend.

MacKay scored the winner in that cup tie and would likely displace Cristian Montero, meaning Stephen Kelly can drop into a more suitable deeper midfield role.

Dundee, meanwhile, will travel without Antonio Portales due to a hamstring injury. The 27-year-old, who joined on a free transfer from Mexican side CF Atlante last summer, is likely to remain sidelined until March.

Docherty may be slightly concerned about fatigue setting in among his ranks having fought so hard only to fall to a late defeat to Hearts in midweek, meaning Curtis Main could replace Zach Robinson in attack in order to provide fresh legs from the front.

Livingston possible starting lineup:

George; Devlin, Nottingham, Sangare; Brandon, Pittman, Kelly, Holt; Shinnie, MacKay; Anderson

Dundee possible starting lineup:

Carson; McGhee, Ashcroft, Shaughnessy, Dodgson, Costelloe; Cameron, Boateng, McCowan; Main, Bakayoko

We say: Livingston 2-1 Dundee

Livingston will not get many better opportunities to end their lengthy winless streak than a home fixture against a promoted team, especially having benefitted from a full week's rest, which is on contrast to Dundee after their devastating defeat to Hearts on Tuesday.

We can envisage another tight encounter for the visitors, but Livingston have shown some signs of improvements in recent fixtures, and we think they may finally put all three points on the board.

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