Preview: Kilmarnock vs Livingston - prediction, team news, lineups

Kilmarnock and Livingston will get their 2025-26 Scottish Premiership campaigns underway on Saturday afternoon when they meet at Rugby Park.

These two sides clashed in Group H of the Scottish League Cup last month, with Saturday's hosts recording a 1-0 victory over their opposition.

Match preview

Kilmarnock, having finished fourth in the Scottish Premiership in 2023-24, endured a disappointing 2024-25 season as they dropped to a ninth-placed finish.

Derek McInnes, who had been in charge since January 2022, left the club at the end of last campaign in favour of a move to Hearts, with Stuart Kettlewell since appointed as his successor.

The former Motherwell boss has enjoyed an encouraging start to life at Kilmarnock, recording three wins and one draw - though they were defeated on penalties - in Group H of the Scottish League Cup.

Killie were particularly impressive in defence during their Scottish League Cup group stage campaign, keeping clean sheets in all four matches, while scoring seven in that time.

Now aiming to build upon their first-placed finish in Group H, Killie will get their Scottish Premiership season underway against a Livingston side that they defeated 1-0 last month.

Despite failing to finish in top spot due to that defeat, Livingston managed to secure progression into the knockout rounds as one of three best runners-up during the group stage, having recorded nine points from their four fixtures.

David Martindale, in charge since November 2020, will be particularly pleased with their 6-0 victory over Kelty Hearts in the final group game, and his side will hope to build on that win and also get revenge against Killie on Saturday.

Livingston will be hoping for a positive start to the season as they aim to avoid the relegation battle in their first term back in the top flight, having earned promotion from the Championship through the playoffs last term - as they defeated Ross County 5-3 on aggregate in the final.

Livingston have struggled in this fixture in recent meetings, with their recent defeat marking the fifth consecutive match against Killie without victory, suffering four defeats and one draw in that time.

Kilmarnock form (all competitions):

Livingston form (all competitions):

Team News

Eighteen-year-old Ben Brannan was superb for Killie during the Scottish League Cup group stage, scoring three goals in three starts, and the youngster could be in contention for a starting place on Saturday as a result.

Given Kilmarnock have already defeated Livingston 1-0 this season, Kettlewell may decide to name a similar starting 11 against the Lions on Saturday.

As for Livingston, Robbie Muirhead has already picked up his goalscoring form from last season as the striker netted three times in four Scottish League Cup matches, and the forward will lead the line on Saturday.

Following their commanding 6-0 win over Kelty Hearts in the final group stage fixture, Martindale may decide to name a largely unchanged starting team for their Scottish Premiership opener.

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:

Stryjek; Brannan, Stanger, Mayo, Deas; Lyons, Watson, Magennis, Polworth; Dackers, Daniels

Livingston possible starting lineup:

Prior; Finlayson, McGowan, Wilson, Montgomery; Tait, Sylla, Pittman; Winter, Muirhead, Carey

We say: Kilmarnock 2-0 Livingston

Kilmarnock have dominated this fixture in recent meetings, including the 1-0 win in the Scottish League Cup, and we expect a similar outcome with a home win here.

Killie are yet to concede in a competitive game under Kettlewell's management, and we believe that remarkable run of clean sheets will continue in this one.

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