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

Livingston will host Partick Thistle at the Tony Macaroni Arena on Friday evening for the second leg of their Scottish Premiership promotion/relegation playoff semi-final tie.

The visitors will be aiming to overturn a two-goal deficit to progress into the final, as the hosts hold a two-goal lead following their 2-0 win in the reverse fixture.

Match preview

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After suffering a disappointing relegation from the Scottish Premiership last season, finishing bottom of the table and 10 points adrift of safety, Livingston began this campaign aiming for an immediate return to the top flight.

The Lions consistently placed in the promotion playoff spots in the Scottish Championship, fluctuating between third and second place, eventually clinching a second-placed finish with 70 points from 36 matches, just three points shy of champions Falkirk.

That secured David Martindale‘s side their place in the semi-finals of the playoffs, where they matched up with Partick Thistle, and the Lions will be delighted with the first-leg victory.

Livingston headed to The Energy Check Stadium for the first leg on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Partick Thistle on the final day of the regular season, but Martindale’s side took control of the playoff clash, earning a decisive 2-0 victory to bring back home.

Scott Pittman broke the deadlock just before half-time, with Danny Wilson doubling the lead shortly after the restart, but despite their advantage, Livingston must remain cautious of Partick Thistle’s attacking threat, as the visitors missed several major chances in that defeat.

Partick Thistle will be desperate to overturn the deficit and march into the playoff final, determined to avoid a fourth consecutive elimination in the promotion playoffs.

The Jags were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Caley Thistle in 2021-22, defeated on penalties in the final by Ross County in 2022-23 and lost in the semi-finals on penalties against Raith Rovers last term.

Facing the threat of another playoff heartbreak, co-interim managers Brian Graham and Mark Wilson must guide Partick Thistle to only their second away victory against Livingston in six visits, with three losses, a draw and one win in their last five encounters.

Team News

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Following a strong performance to secure a 2-0 victory in the first leg, Martindale may decide to name an unchanged starting 11 for Friday’s second leg clash.

Robbie Muirhead ended the regular season in superb goalscoring form, netting three in the last five games, and the striker should retain his place alongside Cristian Montano and Lewis Smith in this one.

The visitors are expected to remain without Kyle Turner, who was absent from the first-leg defeat due to an injury sustained in the quarter-finals, while Lee Ashcroft is also a doubt after coming off injured in the first leg.

Those injuries mean co-managers Graham and Wilson could name Robbie Crawford and Stuart Bannigan in midfield, while the front three of Logan Chalmers, Graham and Aidan Fitzpatrick could keep their places in the starting team.

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

Partick Thistle possible starting lineup:
Mitchell; McBeth, Mackenzie, O’Reilly; Megwa, Crawford, Bannigan, Low; Chalmers; Graham, Fitzpatrick

We say: Livingston 1-0 Partick Thistle

With a commanding advantage from the first leg, Livingston should have plenty of space to exploit as Partick Thistle push forward to try and get back into the tie, leading us to expect a home victory.

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

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