Livingston and St Mirren meet at the Almondvale Stadium on Saturday afternoon having both endured lengthy winless streaks in the Scottish Premiership.
While the home side have failed to record a victory in four attempts, the visitors have gone seven games without registering maximum points.
Match preview
Given their poor form in the Scottish Premiership, it is fair to say that Livingston and St Mirren have been grateful to use the League Cup as a way of retaining some belief.
Livingston have recorded four wins in succession in that competition, scoring 15 goals in the process, while St Mirren have remained unbeaten courtesy of two wins via penalty shootouts.
However, with neither team recording maximum points in the league since October 2, much improvement is required if they are to move away from trouble at the wrong end of the standings.
From St Mirren's perspective, the majority of their setbacks have come by narrow scorelines, one of which came against champions Celtic after taking an early lead.
Jim Goodwin will be concerned that just six goals have been scored during 11 matches, but positives will have been taken from the goalless draw with fifth-placed Dundee United before the international break.
Livingston's winless streak has only reached four matches, but home defeats against Kilmarnock and Motherwell have dented the confidence of Gary Holt's side.
Recording a comeback draw at Ross County was a step in the right direction, but another loss at the Almondvale Stadium will leave the Lions one point away from second bottom.
A first-half goal from St Mirren defender Richard Tait proved to be the difference when these two sides met on the opening day of the season.
Livingston Scottish Premiership form: WWLLLD
Livingston form (all competitions): LLLDWW
St Mirren Scottish Premiership form: LLLLLD
St Mirren form (all competitions): LWDDDW
Team News
Although changes were made for their recent League Cup double-header, Holt is likely to revert to much of the Livingston side which earned a point at Ross County.
Ciaron Brown should come back into the defence after spending time on international duty with Northern Ireland Under-21s.
As for St Mirren, Jonathan Obika is pushing for a recall after scoring the decisive goal against Queen's Park in the most recent League Cup tie.
The absence of defender Joe Shaughnessy through suspension may lead to a change in system, with Nathan Sheron potentially being brought into midfield.
Livingston possible starting lineup:
Stryjek; Devlin, Brown, Guthrie, Lawson; Sibbald, Bartley, Robinson, Forrest; Pittman; Emmanuel-Thomas
St Mirren possible starting lineup:
Alnwick; Tait, Fraser, McCarthy, Mason; Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon, Mason; MacPherson, Obika, McGrath
We say: Livingston 1-1 St Mirren
Going by their form before the international break, it is difficult to predict a winner in this contest. Livingston are naturally the favourites due to their home advantage, but we feel that St Mirren will battle their way to a low-scoring draw.
Top betting tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email
