Livingston will face Aberdeen for the fifth time this season when they lock horns at the Almondvale Stadium in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.

The hosts, who have lost each of their last three games in all competitions, are currently nine points behind the fourth-placed Dons, who have won just one of their last five league matches.

Match preview

Rangers defender Filip Helander gets a shot away in the Scottish Premiership clash with Livingston on August 16, 2020 © Reuters

After losing on penalties in the Scottish Cup fourth round to Aberdeen two weeks ago, Livingston have since lost 2-1 away at Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.

First-half strikes from Kevin Nisbet and Martin Boyle put Jack Ross's side two goals in front and although Jay Emmanuel-Thomas converted a penalty in the 85th minute, the Lions were unable to score an equaliser.

That result leaves David Martindale's side in fifth place, nine points behind Aberdeen in fourth, with just three league matches left to play.

After winning eight and drawing three of his first 11 Scottish Premiership games in charge of Livingston, Martindale has since lost six of his last nine league matches, including the last two in which they conceded eight goals in the process.

The Lions ended a 13-game winless run in the top-flight against Aberdeen when they won 2-0 at Pittodrie in February, and another victory against them on Saturday could see Martindale's men move six points clear of St Johnstone, if they were to lose to Hibernian.

Aberdeen's hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup for the fifth successive season were ended last weekend, as they were beaten 3-0 at home to Dundee United.

A brace from Marc McNulty either side of half time and a header from Ryan Edwards secured a convincing victory for the Tangerines, inflicting defeat on the Dons for the first time since manager Stephen Glass took charge in March.

Glass claimed his side were physically and mentally fatigued after playing their third game in a week, but he hopes they can bounce back with a victory on Saturday as they look to keep their slim chances of a top-three finish in the Scottish Premiership alive.

After beating St Johnstone 1-0 in their last away league game, Aberdeen are looking to claim back-to-back top-flight victories on the road for the first time since September.

The Dons head to the Almondvale Stadium, having won three and drawn two of their last five visits, keeping four clean sheets in the process.

Securing all three points on Saturday would see Aberdeen move to within three points of Hibernian in third if they were to lose at home to St Johnstone.

Livingston Scottish Premiership form:

Livingston form (all competitions):

Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form:

Aberdeen form (all competitions):

Team News

Lewis Ferguson pictured for Aberdeen in April 2019 © Reuters

Livingston boss Martindale made outfield changes to his starting lineup for the first time in six matches against Hibs last week and may make more changes once again on Saturday.

Defender Alan Lithgow made his first start in over 15 months after recovering from a hip injury and could keep his place ahead of Jack Fitzwater.

Central midfielder Marvin Bartley and winger Alan Forrest were both dropped to the bench for the trip to Easter Road but could return to the first XI this weekend ahead of Efe Ambrose and Josh Mullin.

Emmanuel-Thomas – who has scored three goals in his last two games, as many as he scored in the previous 14 matches – is set to start once again ahead of Matej Poplatnik.

Aberdeen are still without midfielder Greg Leigh due to a hamstring problem, while winger Ryan Hedges is ruled out for the rest of the season with a muscle injury.

Central defender Ash Taylor is close to a return from injury but is unlikely to feature this weekend, while Joe Lewis's bruised ribs seem to have healed and he could start in goal ahead of Gary Woods.

Ross McCrorie remains doubtful, but if he is passed fit to play then he could start at right-back at the expense of Calvin Ramsay.

Livingston possible starting lineup:
McCrorie; Devlin, Lithgow, Guthrie, Longridge; Bartley, Holt; Sibbald, Pittman, Forrest; Emmanuel-Thomas

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Lewis; McCrorie, Hoban, Considine, Hayes; McLennan, Ferguson, Campbell, Kennedy; McGinn; Hendry

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We say: Livingston 1-1 Aberdeen

Livingston's defence has looked vulnerable in recent weeks, conceding in each of their last 12 matches, while Aberdeen have scored just 11 times on the road this season, the joint-lowest in the division. With little to separate the two sides, a score draw could be on the cards at the Almondvale Stadium.

Top tip

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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Livingston win with a probability of 35.34%. A win for Aberdeen had a probability of 34.64% and a draw had a probability of 30%.

The most likely scoreline for a Livingston win was 1-0 with a probability of 12.98%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (7.11%) and 2-0 (6.84%). The likeliest Aberdeen win was 0-1 (12.82%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (13.5%). The actual scoreline of 1-2 was predicted with a 7% likelihood.