Livingston welcome Ross County to Almondvale on Thursday night in the first leg of their Premiership promotion/relegation playoff tie.
David Martindale’s hosts missed out on automatic promotion to the Premiership on the final day of the season, as a defeat at home to Partick, coupled with a 3-1 win for Falkirk at home to Hamilton, saw The Bairns go up at their expense.
Livi did at least get some revenge on that defeat to Thistle as a pair of 2-0 wins over The Jags in the semi-final playoff tie ensured they still have a chance to return to the Scottish top flight at the first time of asking.
They take on Ross County, who finished in 11th position in the Scottish Premiership table for the third consecutive season, following their 1-1 draw at home to Motherwell and Dundee’s 0-2 win at already relegated St Johnstone on the final day of the season.
Whilst that’s now consecutive 1-1 draws for Don Cowie’s visitors, they come into this crucial first leg amid a nine-game winless streak, losing seven of them.
How the bookies view it: Livi to roar at home again?
The bookmakers favour Livingston to take a lead to Dingwall on Monday, with BoyleSports making them 21/20 to win on the night.
The same firm has Ross County at 2/1 to end their nine-match winless run, whilst the draw is 21/10.
Head to head: Livi with the upper hand
Livingston have lost just one of their past five meetings with The Staggies (W2-D2-L1), including a 2-3 extra-time success in the Scottish Cup at the turn of the year.
Players to watch: Ronan to reign again?
Robbie Muirhead is Livi’s top scorer in the Championship this season with 13 goals, and the Ex-Morton man is 15/8 at Bet365 to score against The Staggies on Tuesday night.
Ronan Hale is County’s leading scorer with 12 in the Premiership this season, and comes into this clash having scored in three of his last four appearances.
Predicted line-ups:
David Martindale doesn’t appear to have any new injury doubts and may opt for a similar starting 11 to the one that started their 2-0 success at home to Partick Thistle last time out.
As for Ross County, they do have some injury concerns, with goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw, Ryan Leak, Aidan Denholm and Noah Chilvers all missing.
Livingston: Prior, Brandon, McGowan, Wilson, Fraser, Pitman, Tait, Kelly, Smith, Muirhead, Montano
Ross County: Amissah, Wright, Nightingale, Campbell, Efete, Randall, Kenneh, Ashworth, Nisbet, Samuel, Hale
Anything else catch the eye?
I successfully backed Livingston to win a low-scoring encounter in the second leg of their semi-final playoff victory against Partick last week, and despite facing Premiership opposition this time, I’m backing The Lions to do the same here once again.
David Martindale’s hosts have won 13 and lost just two of their 19 home matches in the Championship/playoffs this season (W13-D4-L2) and come into this clash in far better form than County, who are currently on a nine-game winless streak (W0-D2-L7).
Both Teams to Score has failed to land in 13/19 (68%) of Livi’s home clashes this season – and given the same has also failed to land in 13/19 (68%) of Ross County’s away matches in the Scottish top flight this campaign- backing against goals at both ends does appeal.
GambleAware