Preview: Livingston vs. Aberdeen - prediction, team news, lineups

Livingston host Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday evening with both sides currently enjoying good spells of form.

The Lions have a 100% record in the league under new boss David Martindale, while the Dons have lost just three of their 19 top-flight matches this campaign.

Match preview

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Aberdeen came from behind to secure all three points at home to St Johnstone on Boxing Day thanks to Sam Cosgrove's penalty and Ash Taylor's second-half strike.

Saturday's victory extended their unbeaten run in the league to six matches and moved them into the top three of the Scottish Premiership, just two points behind Celtic, although the Hoops have two games in hand.

The Dons have also lost only once in their last 13 league matches – a 4-0 defeat away at Rangers in November – and Derek McInnes is hoping that his side can continue to grind out results to help the club secure a European spot at the end of the season.

Aberdeen have won six of their last seven league meetings with Livingston, including a 2-1 victory against them in August.

Another victory in midweek would be their fifth away from home in the league this season and could move them above Celtic into second place if the Hoops were to lose against Dundee United.

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David Martindale has worked wonders at Livingston since taking charge in November and the 2-1 victory away at Kilmarnock on Saturday extended their winning streak in the league to four matches.

Martindale became the first head coach since Brendan Rodgers in September 2016 to win each of his first four matches in charge of a Scottish Premiership side. The last manager to win his first five top-flight games in charge was Robbie Neilson for Hearts back in August 2015.

Livingston's good run of form has seen them climb up to sixth in the table, seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Martindale has heaped praise onto a "fantastic" Aberdeen team ahead of Wednesday's clash and is aware of how difficult the match will be.

The last time the Lions beat Aberdeen in a top-flight match was back in April 2004 under former boss David Hay. Livingston have since drawn three and lost 12 times against the Dons.

Securing three points could move the Lions up to fifth in the Scottish Premiership above Dundee United if they fail to win away at Celtic.

Livingston Scottish Premiership form: DLWWWW Livingston form (all competitions): WWWWWW

Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form: DDWWDW Aberdeen form (all competitions): LDWWDW

Team News

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Winger Keaghan Jacobs and defender Alan Lithgow remain Livingston's only absentees, although the latter is back in training after nearly a year out with a hip injury.

David Martindale is unlikely to make many changes to the starting lineup after the Lions's recent good form, which could see Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, who scored against Kilmarnock, remain in the side up front.

Aberdeen's Ross McCrorie is back from suspension and is likely to start in midfield alongside Lewis Ferguson.

Marley Watkins remains out with a hamstring problem, while Scott Wright and Dylan McGeouch are both recovering from hernia injuries.

Defender Michael Devlin is expected to be out until March with an ankle problem.

Livingston possible starting lineup: Stryjek; Devlin, Fitzwater, Guthrie, Serrano; Bartley, Holt; Mullin, Pittman, Robinson; Emmanuel-Thomas

Aberdeen possible starting lineup: Lewis; Hoban, Taylor, Considine; Kennedy, Ferguson, McCrorie, Hayes; Hedges; Main, Cosgrove

We say: Livingston 1-1 Aberdeen

Livingston, who have scored only eight times at home this season, face an Aberdeen outfit who have found the net just nine times on the road. Both sides are currently in good form but they may have to settle for a draw on Wednesday evening.

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