Preview: Livingston vs Kelty Hearts - prediction, team news, lineups

In each side’s fourth and final Scottish League Cup game of the group stage, Livingston will welcome third-tier side Kelty Hearts to Almondvale Stadium on Saturday.

The top-flight hosts are third with six points in their five-team group and are one point off of first place, which guarantees progression, while the away team are fourth with five points following their 0-0 draw with Kilmarnock on July 22.

Match preview

Second place could be enough for Livingston to progress to the round of 16, though only the three best runners-up from the competition’s eight groups will advance.

The home side beat Brora Rangers 2-0 on July 19 in their most recent League Cup clash, and they have won five of their past seven outings in the tournament.

Boss David Martindale oversaw a successful promotion charge from the Scottish Championship last term, with his side finishing second in the second tier before winning a playoff tie against Ross County in May.

The Lions come into the weekend’s matchup having triumphed in two and lost one of their three games in 2025-26 – all in the League Cup – and they scored four and conceded two in that time.

Livingston’s only home fixture this season was against Brora Rangers, though they did win four and draw one of their prior six competitive games at Almondvale Stadium.

As for the visitors, they maintained their status in Scotland’s League One, ending the 2024-25 campaign in sixth place with 44 points, three places and eight points from the relegation zone.

Kelty Hearts have faced their hosts once in the past, losing 2-0 in the League Cup in July 2022.

Head coach Thomas O'Ware’s side have kept two clean sheets in their last six competitive fixtures, with both coming in their three cup games this term.

Hearts’ stalemate against Kilmarnock was the 11th time in 13 matches that they failed to win, suffering six defeats in that period.

Kelty Hearts emerged as 4-0 victors against Brora Rangers on July 15 in their only away game this term, with the club drawing two and winning one of their previous four clashes on the road.

Livingston Scottish League Cup form:

Livingston form (all competitions):

Kelty Hearts Scottish League Cup form:

Kelty Hearts form (all competitions):

Team News

Livingston are likely to utilise the same 3-4-3 they used against Brora Rangers, with Daniel Finlayson, Ryan McGowan and Danny Wilson starting in a back three.

Macaulay Tait and Andrew Shinnie performed excellently in a double pivot last time out, and the duo will almost certainly be paired together on Saturday.

Andy Winter and Sam Culbert could play as wide attackers, while Robbie Muirhead may start as a centre-forward.

As for the visitors, Craig Clay and Jack Brydon are candidates to feature in a back four behind midfielders Aaron Arnott, Cooper Masson and Innes Murray.

In the forward line, fans should expect striker Robbie Cole can be expected to play alongside wingers James Graham and Luke McCarvel.

Livingston possible starting lineup:

Prior; Finlayson, McGowan, Wilson; Smith, Tait, Shinnie, Carey; Winter, Muirhead, Culbert

Kelty Hearts possible starting lineup:

Adamson; T Murray, Clay, Brydon, Paterson; Arnott, Masson, I Murray; Graham, Cole, McCarvel