Livingston head into their game with Kilmarnock on Friday evening with the opportunity to move into fifth position in the Scottish Premiership standings with a convincing win.

However, should the visitors fall to defeat, 10th-placed Kilmarnock will sit just one point behind them in the table.

Match preview

There have been times this season when Livingston have hit the headlines for pushing Rangers all the way, most recently as October 22 when they conceded a last-gasp equaliser to draw 1-1 at Ibrox.

Nevertheless, despite the optimism ahead of their home fixture with Celtic eight days later, David Martindale's side were no match for the defending champions and league leaders.

An early goal put Celtic in control and Livingston spent the remaining of the game chasing before succumbing to a 3-0 defeat, posting their sixth loss of the campaign.

However, with a game in hand, Livingston have an opportunity to move into the top six on Friday night, as well as end a four-match winless streak on their travels in the process.

Livingston will also be hoping to score more than once in a single top-flight fixture for the first time since August 13, a streak stretching nine matches.

From Kilmarnock's perspective, they have recently enjoyed their best period of the campaign, putting together a run of eight points from five outings.

That said, a four-match unbeaten streak came to an end last time out as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at an improving St Johnstone outfit, who moved clear of them in the table in the process.

On the back of promotion last year, Derek McInnes will be content with the progress of his team, but he will want to get a fourth win of the season on the board as soon as possible in order to surge away from the bottom two.

Kilmarnock head into this encounter having not lost any of their most recent four home fixtures, their only league reverse at Rugby Park in 2022-23 coming by a 5-0 scoreline to Celtic on August 14.

Team News

Although Kilmarnock suffered defeat last time out, McInnes is unlikely to over-react and may name the same starting lineup for this contest.

Ryan Alebiosu is an option in a position on the right flank, but Kyle Lafferty continues to serve his 10-match ban for use of sectarian language.

Martindale is also not expected to make many alterations to his Livingston XI in light of their defeat to Celtic.

Stephane Omeonga made his first appearance in a month during that fixture, but the midfielder may have to make do with another appearance on the substitutes' bench after injury.

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
Hemming; Wright, Taylor, Stokes; Mayo, Power, McInroy; Armstrong, McKenzie, Jones; Cameron

Livingston possible starting lineup:
Hamilton; Fitzwater, Obileye, Kelly; Devlin, Pittman, Holt, Penrice, Longridge; Kelly; Nouble

We say: Kilmarnock 1-2 Livingston

Despite being two of the lowest goalscorers in the division, Livingston have shown the greater all-round quality this season. That could prove decisive in a closely-fought contest, one which we feel the visitors will edge in the closing stages.

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