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

Livingston and Falkirk will clash on Saturday afternoon at Almondvale Stadium, both looking to improve upon their opening day draws in the Scottish Premiership.

The hosts came from 2-0 down to draw with Kilmarnock in their first fixture, while the visitors twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Dundee United.

Match preview

Livingston's six-season stay in the Scottish Premiership was ended in 2023-24 as they finished bottom of the table, but the Lions were able to secure an immediate return to the top flight.

David Martindale's men finished second in the Scottish Championship last campaign, narrowly three points behind champions Falkirk, meaning they qualified for the playoffs.

Livingston comfortably defeated Partick Thistle 4-0 on aggregate in the semi-final before defeating Ross County 5-3 in the final, securing their promotion to the Premiership.

A positive pre-season followed, with two wins and one draw, and they have continued their promising form in the opening parts of the 2025-26 season.

Livingston won three and lost one of their four Scottish League Cup group games, managing to progress to the knockout rounds as one of the three best runners-up across the group stage.

Livingston followed that with an encouraging performance in their opening Premiership match, coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Kilmarnock, while the Lions were more deserving of three points with 15 shots to Killie's eight.

Martindale will be hoping to build on that performance and secure a win in their second match, and with three wins from their last three meetings, Livingston will be full of confidence.

Falkirk may have failed to win any of their last seven meetings with the Lions across all competitions, but the Bairns did get one over Saturday's opponents as they beat them to the Championship league title last term.

Their title triumph has ensured their return to the Scottish Premiership for the first time since 2009-10, and Falkirk will be hopeful of extending their top-flight stay this term.

The Bairns started the campaign with three wins and one draw from their four Scottish League Cup group stage, and they followed that with a 2-2 draw with Dundee Utd.

That leaves John McGlynn's side undefeated in their last eight matches across all competitions, with six wins and two draws in that time, including four consecutive games without defeat away from home.

Livingston Scottish Premiership form:

Livingston form (all competitions):

Falkirk Scottish Premiership form:

Falkirk form (all competitions):

Team News

Livingston will be without the services of Aidan Denholm (hamstring) and Cameron Kerr due to ongoing injury issues, while the rest of the side should be available for action.

Robbie Muirhead has already scored four goals in 2025-26 - three in the Scottish League Cup and one in the Premiership - and the striker should lead the line on Saturday.

Elsewhere, a similar starting 11 is expected to the one that came from behind to draw 2-2 with Dundee United last weekend.

As for Falkirk, Barney Stewart (foot), Coll Donaldson (groin), Finn Yeats (foot), Jamie Sneddon (hernia) and Sean Mackie (calf) are all unavailable due to injury problems.

Dylan Tait has scored five goals in 2025-26, with four in the Scottish League Cup and one in the Scottish Premiership opener, and the midfielder is likely to start alongside captain Brad Spencer in midfield.

Further up the pitch, veteran Scott Arfield could feature behind Brian Graham in attack, with Calvin Miller and Ethan Ross playing from the wings.

Livingston possible starting lineup:

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

Falkirk possible starting lineup:

Bain; Adams, Neilson, Henderson, McCann; Spencer, Tait; Miller, Arfield, Ross; Graham

We say: Livingston 2-1 Falkirk

Both teams are in strong form heading into this meeting, but Livingston have won five of the last seven meetings, and we believe the hosts will continue their dominance in this fixture with another victory.

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