This Sunday, two teams in contrasting situations in the Scottish Premiership will meet: Livingston and Hearts. Livingston currently sits at the bottom of the table with just 15 points, while Hearts tops the standings with 66 points.
Match Preview: Livingston vs Hearts
Livingston has faced a challenging 2025-26 season. After earning promotion from the Championship last year, they started brightly, securing second place in their League Cup group and achieving a win and a draw in their initial league games. However, that victory marked their last win across all competitions, leaving them winless in their last 31 matches.
At present, Livingston trails safety by a significant 12 points. With only seven fixtures remaining, head coach Marvin Bartley is under pressure to produce a remarkable turnaround if the Lions hope to avoid relegation.
Hearts’ Strong Position
In stark contrast, Hearts maintain a strong position at the top of the Scottish Premiership. With 66 points from 31 matches, they have secured 20 wins, six draws, and faced five defeats this season. However, recent performances have raised some concerns, as they have suffered three losses in their last seven outings. This has allowed their rivals, particularly Rangers, to narrow the gap, now sitting just three points behind.
With only seven matches left in the campaign, Hearts’ manager Derek McInnes will be eager to wrap up the league title and secure a strong conclusion to the season.
Team News
Livingston will be missing several key players due to injuries, including Joshua Zimmerman, Samson Lawal, Connor McLennan, and Aidan Denholm. Additionally, Brooklyn Kabongolo is suspended, which may see Ryan McGowan step into defense alongside Danny Wilson and Daniel Finlayson, with Jerome Prior remaining in goal.
- Livingston Possible Starting Lineup:
- Goalkeeper: Jerome Prior
- Defenders: Ryan McGowan, Danny Wilson, Daniel Finlayson
- Midfielders: Kerr, Sylla, Pittman, Tait, Montano
- Forwards: Muirhead, Nouble
Hearts, on the other hand, will also face absences. Tomas Magnusson, Craig Gordon, Stuart Findlay, Ageu, Stephen Kingsley, Calem Nieuwenhof, and Finlay Pollock will all miss out due to injuries, while Frankie Kent is suspended. Jamie McCart may move into central defense, with Christian Borchgrevink stepping in as a full-back.
- Hearts Possible Starting Lineup:
- Goalkeeper: Alexander Schwolow
- Defenders: McEntee, Jamie McCart, Steinwender, Borchgrevink
- Midfielders: Altena, Leonard, Devlin, Kyziridis
- Forwards: Braga, Kabore
Prediction: Livingston vs Hearts
Given Livingston’s poor form, it’s difficult to envision a different outcome in this match. Considering Hearts’ superior position and recent head-to-head success, we predict a 3-1 victory for the away side.
