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

The two sides are separated by nine points in the Scottish Premiership table, with fifth-placed Livi leading ninth-placed Killie, who find themselves just three points clear of the bottom.

Match preview

Like many teams before them, Livingston suffered a humiliating defeat to Celtic on Wednesday, with David Martindale's side seeing just 18% possession while failing to register a single shot on target in the 3-0 loss.

It is worth remembering, however, that Livi trail champions-elect Celtic by 35 points in the table, and the gulf between the teams is clear for all to see.

Indeed, Livingston's season will not be defined by a defeat to Celtic at Parkhead, so Martindale's men will be quick to put Wednesday's loss behind them and focus on cementing their place in the top six before the split.

There is no hiding the fact that Livi have struggled for consistency this season - recording nine wins, five draws and nine losses in the league - but they still find themselves in contention for a European spot after 23 games.

Although the Lions have lost just three of their 12 home league matches this term, they have drawn each of their previous three, so they will be eager to return to winning ways in front of their fans.

As for Kilmarnock, they ended a run of three successive Premiership defeats with a 1-0 victory over Dundee United on Wednesday, courtesy of Danny Armstrong's first-half strike.

Having racked up a whopping 27 shots against the Tangerines, Killie could - and probably should - have scored more goals last time out, but they will still be pleased to have claimed all three points and stopped the rot.

Derek McInnes's side have now won six of their 12 league matches at Rugby Park this term, but they have failed to pick up a solitary victory on the road, suffering 10 losses across 12 away encounters in the Premiership.

Worse still, Kilmarnock have scored a measly four goals on their travels, conceding 24 goals in the process, so it is hardly surprising that they have the worst away record in the division.

Killie suffered relegation from the top flight in 2020-21 before gaining promotion at the first time of asking, but they could find themselves back in the second tier if they fail to fix their struggles on the road.

Livingston Scottish Premiership form:

D

D

W

W

D

L

Livingston form (all competitions):

D

W

W

W

D

L

Kilmarnock Scottish Premiership form:

W

D

L

L

L

W

Kilmarnock form (all competitions):

L

L

L

W

L

W

Team News

Livingston have reported no fresh injury problems ahead of Saturday's clash, although Tom Parkes and Jamie Brandon remain long-term absentees.

Martindale selected a pragmatic team for the trip to Celtic Park in midweek, with five defenders in the starting XI, but the Livi manager is expected to revert back to his favoured 4-3-3 formation this weekend.

Meanwhile, Kilmarnock look set to be without the injured trio of Ben Chrisene, Jeriel Dorsett and Innes Cameron for the foreseeable future.

Having chalked up nine goals and six assists across all competitions this season, Danny Armstrong is undoubtedly Killie's biggest threat, and he is expected to support Christian Doidge and Kyle Vassell in attack on Saturday.

Northern Ireland striker Kyle Lafferty left Kilmarnock by mutual consent earlier this week, so McInnes is likely to name an unchanged side after the East Ayrshire outfit ended their losing run on Wednesday.

Livingston possible starting lineup:

George; Devlin, Fitzwater, Boyes, Penrice; Omeonga, Kelly, Pittman; Bradley, Anderson, Shinnie

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:

Walker; Mayo, Taylor, Wright, Chambers; Armstrong, Donnelly, Polworth, McKenzie; Doidge, Vassell

We say: Livingston 1-0 Kilmarnock

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