Livingston prepare to entertain Partick Thistle at Almondvale on Saturday evening, and hold the advantage on previous meetings between the two. Livi Lions have the slight edge, having won 6 of the 15 games compared to Partick's 3 wins.
The most recent encounter between these two sides at Almondvale was less than a year ago, in May 2003, with Livingston running out comfortable 3-1 winners in a Scottish Premier match.
Livingston could be forced to play with only one recognised striker in tomorrows match with Partick Thistle. Derek Lilley is the only forward who is fully fit, and it looks like the match has come to quick for Fernando Pasquinelli. David Fernandez is struggling with a Hamstring injury, but he was in full swing in training today, so maybe the little wizard has a better chance of making the match than some people think.
David McNamee is out suspended after he was sent off in last weeks match against Hearts although John Paul McGovern should slot in comfortably in his play, but Manu Dorado also looks as if he will miss the match after he was injured in the same match.
Roddy McKenzie will be looking to get back to normal and have another shut-out, and it will also be down to Marv, Rubio and the other defensive players to make sure the Livi goal isn’t breeched. Stuart Lovell, Lee Makel & Brian Kerr should make up the midfield and hopefully Fernandez will make the match and partner Lilley up front.
The Lions must make sure they don’t treat this match as a walkover, they have done it before and been punished. David Hay needs to drum it into the players that Partick will be raring to go as they need the points at the bottom of the league.
But the bad news for Partick is that they are without five players through injury and could be forced to make do without another. Andy Thomson, Stephane Bonnes, Eddie Forrest, Ricky Waddell and Ian Ross are all out of the squad and ex-Livi striker Gerry Britton is also likely to be on the sidelines with a calf problem, which is good news for Livingston.
The good news is Midfielder Willie Howey joins the squad for the first time since suffering a serious head injury two years ago.
Livingston have only collected 1 win and 3 draws from the last six home games played. Only 3 goals have been registered in this time, with 4 in the wrong end.
The away form of Partick is pretty dire, managing a paltry 2 draws from the last six matches. While the Jags have hit 7 goals, 12 have hit the back of the wrong net.
Livingston see themselves just below half way in the Bank of Scotland Scottish Premier, showing a record of 13 points from their 11 games played so far, Partick find themselves stuck right at the bottom of the division. Their 11 games have yielded only 2 points.
Fanzine Prediction
Livi 2 Partick 1