Preview: Livingston vs. Hamilton Academical - prediction, team news, lineups

Livingston welcome struggling Hamilton Academical to West Lothian on Saturday, with David Martindale's team looking to return to form and take a vital three points in their quest for a top-six Scottish Premiership spot.

The Accies have been drawing too many games in recent weeks, and they really need a win to give their campaign some momentum ahead of the league splitting into two.

Match preview

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Livingston are now without a win in six games in all competitions, and the long unbeaten run that the appointment of David Martindale as manager triggered seems a distant memory.

Livi lost the League Cup final 1-0 to St Johnstone to round off a February that saw them also lose to the Perth Saints in the league.

March has seen Martindale's men lose 1-0 to Rangers at Ibrox and 3-1 away at struggling Motherwell.

The Lions have now failed to win in their last five league matches and St Mirren are now just a point behind in sixth place in the table.

Seventh-placed St Johnstone, Livi's bogey side, are only three points behind, though they, like the Buddies, have played a game more than Martindale's team.

This game in hand is vital for Livi, and they need to win if they are serious about sealing a top-six finish this season.

Brian Rice's Hamilton team also need points if they are to stave off the very real threat of relegation.

The Accies are currently in 11th place, a point ahead of Kilmarnock, who have played a game more, and three points behind 10th-placed Ross County, who play Hibernian this weekend.

Rice's team have failed to score in five of their last seven away league matches, a stat which gives a good indication of why they find themselves in their current predicament.

They have also failed to win nine of their last 10 league matches, so they desperately need three points from this trip to Livingston on Saturday.

They will take heart, though, from their last trip to the Tony Macaroni Arena, back in September, when they ran out as 2-1 winners.

Team News

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Livingston striker Gavin Reilly could have played his last game of the season after suffering a hamstring tear in the defeat to Rangers last weekend.

Keaghan Jacobs and Alan Lithgow are nearing returns from foot and hip injuries respectively but it is doubtful they will play a part this weekend.

Brian Rice has acknowledged this week to the press that his Accies team could be "down to bare bones" for this trip to West Lothian.

Skipper Brian Easton limped out of the action in the goalless draw with Aberdeen last week, and he is a major doubt for this weekend's game.

Winger Nathan Thomas returned from an ankle injury last weekend but the problem has re-occurred, and it looks likely that he will miss this Saturday's game.

Andy Winter also broke down in the warm-up to last week's game and he is a major doubt with what looks like a cartilage problem.

Shaun Want is still out with a thigh injury, while Marios Ogkmpoe's hamstring injury is set to keep him sidelined for Saturday's game.

David Templeton is out for the rest of the season with a groin injury.

One player who could be key to the Accies' top-flight survival is Hakeem Odoffin, who extended his stay at the club by signing a new contract earlier this week.

Livingston possible starting lineup:

McCrorie; Devlin, Fitzwater, Guthrie, Taylor-Sinclair; Lawson, Bartley; Mullin, Sibbald, Serrano; Poplatnik

Hamilton Academical possible starting lineup:

Fulton; Hamilton, A Martin, Munro; Hodson, S Martin, Odoffin, Callachan, McMann; Hughes; Smith

We say: Livingston 0-0 Hamilton Academical

This game looks like being a hard-fought and dour goalless draw, with neither side in great form right now.

A point would probably suit Livi more, but the Accies would certainly also appreciate a point from a tough away trip.