Livingston are set to clash with Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday in the fifth round of the Scottish FA Cup at the Tony Macaroni Arena.
Livingston come into this match off the back of a 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership while Inverness came back twice from a deficit to draw 2-2 against Greenock Morton in the Scottish Championship.
Match preview
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Livingston have enjoyed a good season in the Scottish Premiership this season as they currently occupy the fourth position in the league and look set to finish in the title playoff positions.
With only one loss this year to a high-flying Celtic side who are overwhelming title favourites and nine points clear of Rangers in second, Livingston have been in tremendous form since the beginning of the year.
In their most recent game, Livingston blew away Kilmarnock within the opening 30 minutes of the affair, as Joel Nouble, Bruce Anderson and Stephen Kelly all got on the scoresheet to send them into a three-goal ascendancy and, despite Kilmarnock managing to acquire a goal back early in the second half, this had no bearing on the outcome of the match.
The home side will be heading into this fixture oozing with confidence, as they have made the Tony Macaroni Arena a fortress as of late, being unbeaten in their previous six home games.
However, Livingston have an unsavoury record against Inverness, as they have not beaten their opponents in their last five attempts with their last win dating back to 2017.
Meanwhile, Inverness arrive in this fixture in rather unusual circumstances, as they were defeated in their last Scottish FA Cup match against Queen's Park, however, due to Queen's Park fielding an ineligible player they were awarded the victory and progression into the next round.
Inverness have been in strong form recently and are without a loss on their record in their previous six matches due to the awarding of the victory against Queen's Park.
In their last outing, Inverness managed to secure a point against Greenock Morton despite having trailed twice in the match, as Billy Mckay and Ethan Cairns saved the home side from a defeat that would have had a severely detrimental impact on their top-four ambitions.
Billy Mckay will be key for the away side in this game as the forward has scored 11 goals in the Scottish Championship this season and is Inverness's best goalscoring outlet.
Livingston are not a side that possesses an overwhelming goalscoring potency, therefore if Inverness are able to stay compact in this matchup and keep resolute defensively, they may have a chance to win this affair if they are wise in transitional play.
Team News
Livingston are expected to make three changes to the side that were victorious over Kilmarnock last weekend.
Christian Montano is set to be rested for this affair, with James Penrice set to take his place at left-back.
Stephen Kelly and Joel Nouble are also expected to be replaced for this cup match, with Jason Holt and Andrew Shinnie set to start in their place.
Inverness are expected to line up with the same full-strength side that started in the draw against Greenock Morton in their last match.
Billy Mckay will lead the line for Billy Dodds's side, as the striker has been lethal in front of goal this season.
Livingston possible starting lineup:
George; Devlin, Fitzwater, Boyes, Penrice; Shinnie, Holt, Pittman; Bradley, Anderson, Kelly
Inverness Caledonian Thistle possible starting lineup:
Ridgers; Carson, Devine, Duffy, Delaney; Henderson, Allardice, Harper, MacKay; Doran; McKay
We say: Livingston 1-0 Inverness Caledonian Thistle
We believe that Livingston will be too strong for Inverness in this cup tie, however, the game will be competitive without a huge disparity between the scores.
We feel that Livingston will make the breakthrough in this affair and that they will progress through to the next round of the Scottish FA Cup.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
