LIVINGSTON handed themselves a stay of execution last week with a well-earned win at home to Ross County and they have to win at Motherwell realistically to keep their extremely slim hopes of survival alive.
With four games left, the West Lothian side have to make up nine points and an inferior goal difference just to reach the relegation play-off position.
For Motherwell, they have a seven point gap on second bottom Ross County and have surely done enough to get dragged into any problems, although another loss here would make them slightly edgy.
But realistically, the damage has been done for Livi long before now and last week's win was only their second league win since the start of October and that's unsurvivable.
Their task in Lanarkshire is summed up by the fact their only away win in the league all season came at Hibs back in August.
Motherwell come into this game with a sense of injustice after what they believe was the unfair sending off of Jack Vale at Aberdeen last week which certainly turned the game.
Much of Stuart Kettlewell side's best work seems to be away from Fir Park after four home games without a win there.
How the bookies view it
Despite Livingston's need to win, they are big outsiders at 9/2 here with William Hill.
Motherwell are warm favourites at 7/10 with Coral. The draw is 29/10 with BetVictor.
Recent head to heads
Livingston achieved one of their rare wins this season when they beat Motherwell in October, but Well have won both of the other games by 3-1 scorelines.
Players to watch
Blair Spittal has already agreed a pre-contract move to Hearts next season and he's the man who makes Well tick with his attacking creativity. He is 11/4 to score anytime with BetFred
Bruce Anderson netted last week against Ross County, but has already announced he will leaving Livingston at the end of the season. The former Aberdeen striker is 4/1 to score anytime with bet365 which looks a big price given he will be their main striker.
Anything else catch the eye?
Livingston have shown flickers of life recently and while it is almost certainly too late to save them, they look too big here. Back them to pull off a shock and keep their survival hopes going for another week.
They do have goals in them and they have at least tightened up at the back with two clean sheets in three games. They shouldn't be as big as they are against a Well side who are too short and could probably do with the season ending.
Livingston will want to make a flying start and Paddy Power's price of the visitors to score at least once in the first half at 15/8 looks worth backing.
This Scottish Premiership match between Motherwell and Livingston will be played on May 4, 2024 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Motherwell vs Livingston prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
