Striving to keep their faint hopes of avoiding the drop alive, Livingston will do battle with Motherwell at the Tony Macaroni Arena on Wednesday night in the Scottish Premiership.
The Lions came out on the losing side of a five-goal thriller with fellow strugglers Ross County on Saturday, whereas the Steelmen were unable to contain second-placed Celtic on the same day.
Match preview
© Reuters
Livingston's survival dreams were served a massive dose of reality on the weekend, with the Lions failing to make it back-to-back Premierships wins for the first time in 2023-24 after losing 3-2 to 11th-placed Ross County following an enthralling encounter at the Global Energy Stadium.
It appeared as if it was going to be a long day in Dingwall for David Martindale's men when Eamonn Brophy bagged a first-half brace to give the Staggies a commanding advantage, although the visitors levelled the scores thanks to a double from Bruce Anderson, but the hosts managed the last laugh as Josh Sims netted a 92nd-minute winner.
Having tasted success in just one of their last 19 Premiership matches, Livingston are prime candidates to be relegated and plying their trade in the Scottish Championship next season, with the Lions rooted firmly to the foot of the league standings, eight points behind 10th-placed St Johnstone.
Searching for positives ahead of Wednesday night's clash, Martindale's side recorded a much-needed win during their last contest in front of their loyal home supporters, with a first-half strike from Australian Tete Yengi enough to condemn St Mirren to defeat at the Tony Macaroni Arena on February 17.
Taking his tally from three to five Premiership goals after netting a brace on the weekend, 25-year-old Anderson leads his side's Golden Boot race ahead of three-goal centre-back Sean Kelly, with only two other Livi players managing more than one goal in the league this campaign.
© Reuters
Motherwell's winless run across the Premiership and the Scottish Cup extended to four matches on Saturday afternoon, when Brendan Rodgers's title-chasing Celtic arrived at Fir Park and ensured that the gap to league leaders Rangers remained at just two points.
There appeared to be an upset on the cards after Blair Spittal fired the Steelmen into the lead just before the half-time whistle, although the Scottish champions rallied back in the second period, with an Adam Idah brace and Luis Palma's sixth of the term sealing a 3-1 victory.
Following the fifth-round defeat to Championship side Greenock Morton in the Scottish Cup, Stuart Kettlewell's men have collected just the single point from their last three Premiership contests, sharing the spoils at Aberdeen before losing back-to-back matches against Hearts and Celtic.
Any prolongation of Motherwell's worrying form will evaporate their chances of a top-six finish even further, with the Steelmen currently occupying ninth position in the top-flight standings, six points behind sixth-placed Dundee who have won two of their last three matches.
Kettlewell's side are the draw specialists away from home in the Premiership this season, sharing the points in seven of their 13 league outings in 2023-24, although Wednesday's visitors struggle to earn maximum points on the road, winning just once away from Fir Park so far.
Team News
© Reuters
Following a poor first-half showing at Ross County, Livingston boss Martindale should make some alterations to his starting XI, with goalscorer Anderson and Daniel Mackay set to be promoted into the side.
Andrew Shinnie and Stephen Kelly were hooked at the half-time interval against the Staggies on Saturday, and it would be a massive surprise to see either from the start on Wednesday.
Kurtis Guthrie provided a physical presence off the bench last time out, and the 30-year-old could be given a similar role at the Tony Macaroni Arena in this one.
Motherwell will be unable to utilise the talents of 21-year-old Adam Montgomery this term, with the left-back suffering a season-ending hamstring injury.
Callum Slattery is also set to miss the remainder of the campaign due to a knee injury, although Andrew Halliday should return from a calf strain next month.
Livingston possible starting lineup:
George; Brandon, Nottingham, Obileye, Sangare; Carson, Holt, Nouble, Anderson, Mackay; Yengi
Motherwell possible starting lineup:
Kelly; McGinn, Mugabi, Casey; Devine, Miller, Zdravkovski, Gent; Vale, Spittal, Bair
We say: Livingston 1-2 Motherwell
The nature of Livingston's defeat at Ross County on the weekend could have taken the wind out of the Lions' sails ahead of Wednesday's clash with Motherwell.
Having just faced off against Celtic, the Steelmen should be primed and ready to return to winning ways against a side who seem destined for the drop.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
