Preview: Partick Thistle vs. Livingston – prediction, team news, lineups

Partick Thistle are set to host Livingston at The Energy Check Stadium on Tuesday night for the first leg of their Scottish Premiership promotion/relegation playoff semi-final tie.

The hosts defeated Ayr United 2-1 over two legs to progress to this stage, while the visitors qualified directly for this round after placing third in the Scottish Championship.

Match preview

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Since their return to the Scottish Championship as League One champions in 2020-21, Partick Thistle have consistently battled to secure promotion to the top flight.

The Jags were defeated in the semi-finals by Caley Thistle (3-1 on aggregate) in 2021-22, the final by Ross County (5-4 on penalties after a 3-3 draw) in 2022-23 and in the semi-finals by Raith Rovers (4-3 on penalties after a 3-3 aggregate draw) in 2023-24.

Partick Thistle are once again in the fight to secure promotion to the Scottish Premiership, as the Jags secured a fourth-placed finish in the league standings, narrowly placing just two points ahead of fifth-placed Raith Rovers.

Now under the co-interim management of Brian Graham and Mark Wilson, following the dismissal of Kris Doolan, the Jags have advanced one step closer to the top division.

Partick Thistle trailed Ayr United 1-0 after a first-leg defeat in the quarter-finals, but two goals from Graham in a 2-0 return leg victory, including a dramatic 88th-minute winner, secured the victory for the Jags.

The Jags will now play host to Livingston in the first leg of the semi-finals, aiming to secure a crucial advantage to help book their place in the final.

The visitors, however, will be the favourites to record the victory, as Livingston managed a second-placed finish in the Scottish Championship, just three points behind champions Falkirk.

Livingston’s last game of the regular season was a 1-0 defeat to Tuesday’s opponents, though – a result that will certainly provide the hosts with confidence.

That defeat was Livingston’s only loss to Partick Thistle in the past eight meetings, recording five victories and two draws in that time, including two wins at Partick Thistle’s home ground.

David Martindale‘s men will also be desperate to secure their promotion back to the Scottish Premiership this term, having suffered a miserable relegation as bottom-of-the-league last season.

Team News

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The hosts, after coming from 1-0 down to defeat Ayr United 2-1 on aggregate and advance into the semi-finals, could look to name an unchanged starting 11 in this one.

Kyle Turner may be a doubt after coming off just 40 minutes into the second leg, meaning Zander Mackenzie may start, while the rest of the side should stay the same.

Livingston have been afforded a near two-week break since their 1-0 loss to Partick Thistle on the final day of the regular season, meaning their squad should be considerably better rested than their hosts.

Robbie Muirhead ended the campaign in brilliant form, scoring four goals in the last five matches of the season, and the striker is expected to lead the line once again.

Partick Thistle possible starting lineup:
Mitchell; Megwa, Ashcroft, McBeth; Crawford, Mackenzie, Stanway, Fitzpatrick; Bannigan; Low, Graham

Livingston possible starting lineup:
Prior; Brandon, McGowan, Wilson, Fraser; Kelly, Tait, Pittman; Smith, Muirhead, Montano

We say: Partick Thistle 0-1 Livingston

Partick Thistle may have triumphed against the visitors in their latest meeting, but Livingston are undefeated in their last four visits to The Energy Check Stadium, and we expect that run to continue with an away win.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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