Seeking to maintain their unbeaten start in the Scottish Premiership, Hibernian travel to the Toni Macaroni Stadium to face Livingston on Saturday.

The hosts, meanwhile, will be looking to claim back-to-back top-flight victories following their slender win over Dundee United last weekend.

Match preview

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After suffering a 2-1 home defeat to Rangers on the opening weekend of the new season, Livingston bounced back to claim a narrow 1-0 victory away at Dundee United last Saturday.

Cristian Montano scored the only goal of the game four minutes after the break to extend their winning run against the Tangerines to three matches.

David Martindale's side have now lost only one of their last eight top-flight matches, including an unbeaten run of six games at the end of last season, and they head into this weekend's clash with an impressive recent head-to-head record against Hibs.

Livingston have won each of their last three meetings against the Edinburgh outfit, with a 3-2 away win in January sandwiched between two 1-0 home victories.

The Lions will be looking to put together a strong run of form in the coming weeks, with Saturday's game with Hibs followed by encounters against Motherwell, Aberdeen and Hearts before locking horns with Celtic on September 10.

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After scoring a late winner against St Johnstone to claim maximum points on the opening weekend of the new campaign, Hibs rescued a point deep into stoppage time as they drew 1-1 in the Edinburgh derby against Hearts last Sunday.

Lawrence Shankland opened the scoring in the first half before Martin Boyle made the perfect return to Easter Road by scoring a dramatic 95th-minute equaliser, sparking wild scenes from the home supporters and forcing both sides to share the spoils.

Boyle, who has scored in two of his last three league appearances against Livingston, will be hoping to make an impact again for Lee Johnson's side this weekend.

Securing at least a draw on Saturday would see Hibs remain unbeaten from their opening three Premiership games for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

However, the Edinburgh outfit have suffered defeat in three of their last four visits to the Toni Macaroni Stadium and failed to score in each loss.

Team News

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Livingston centre-backs Tom Parkes and Morgan Boyes are set to remain sidelined with respective knee and ankle injuries.

Jack Fitzwater and Ayo Obileye are likely to continue at the heart of the defence as a result, with Nicky Devlin and Montano to operate as full-backs.

Martindale is unlikely to make too many changes, if any, in midfield or attack, with Andrew Shinnie and Scott Pittman set to provide support for central striker Jon Nouble, who scored his first goal for the club in the defeat to Rangers on the opening weekend.

As for Hibs, Aiden McGeady, Kyle Magennis and Kevin Nisbet are all ruled out with injuries, while Demetri Mitchell is doubtful with a minor hamstring issue.

Paul Hanlon returned to the matchday squad last weekend and was an unused substitute, but the centre-back could be handed a start this weekend at the expense of Rocky Bushiri.

After scoring a late equaliser on his return to Easter Road last weekend, Boyle will be hoping to force his way into the first XI ahead of either Elias Melkersen or Josh Campbell.

Livingston possible starting lineup:
George; Devlin, Fitzwater, Obileye, Montano; Holt, Kelly, Omeonga; Pittman, Nouble, Shinnie

Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Marshall; Cadden, Hanlon, Porteous, Cabraja; Kenneh, Newell; Boyle, Henderson, Melkersen; Youan

We say: Livingston 1-1 Hibernian

Both sides will be in high spirits heading into Saturday's Premiership fixture and will fancy their chances of claiming maximum points.

However, a closely-fought contest between two evenly-matched teams is set to take place in West Lothian and they may be forced to settle for a score draw on this occasion.

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

Written by
Oliver Thomas

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