Livingston hope Hibs continue to suffer from a Derby defeat hangover when they arrive at Easter Road for their William Hill Premiership clash on Saturday (15.00).
Lions boss, David Martindale, knows what it takes to dig out results in Scotland’s top flight, but Hibs have recent history behind them having edged the West Lothian club 2-0 on August 17 at The Home of the Set Fare Arena in the second round of the League Cup, now known as the Premier Sports Cup.
Thibault Klidje netted from close in from an in-swinging corner with two minutes of the first half remaining and a rocket from Josh Mulligan three minutes from the end of regulation time sealed the deal, but The Lions scrapped hard for every ball, and will no doubt do so again on Saturday.
That previous clash came between European ties for the Capital combine. On this occasion, there is no European distraction and no domestic fixture congestion, but there has been an international break.
So far, Martindale’s men have worked hard to gather their points, and it could have been a different story. They are only two points behind Hibs in the 12-strong table and Hibs boss, David Gray (pictured), will urge his men not to underestimate the visitors.
Since their 3-0 reverse at defending champions, Celtic, on August 23, the Lions have lost 2-1 at home to table-topping Hearts, the winning goal coming from Greek forward, Alexander Kyziridis in the first minute of injury time.
Martindale’s battlers then drew 0-0 at Aberdeen, lost 3-2 at Dundee, Callum Jones scoring a controversial winner from the penalty spot after 97 minutes to earn the Dens Park side their first Premiership win of the season.
Livi then lost 2-1 in West Lothian to Rangers with defender Max Aarons netting four minutes into injury time, and then they drew 1-1 at Dundee United in their last league clash before the break.
It was 33-year-old midfielder, Scott Pittman, a Pumpherston-born player with over 300 appearances for the club, and a key man this term, who slotted his 54th goal for the club from close range after 34 minutes to give the visitors the lead, Stevie May capitalising on a defensive mistake to set up his colleague.
Ninth-placed Livingston will travel with the aim to achieving a result here. Set-pieces could be key for the visitors who have six points from eight starts. Hibs are seventh with eight points from seven games.
There is not much difference in stats to date. Livi have scored ten goals and shipped 14. Hibs have scored ten and let in the same number, but Martindale will look to his men to reproduce the form they showed in the first 45 minutes at Tannadice last time out.
The manager reflected that the West Lothian side were “very, very good” in the first 45 minutes. His only criticism, overall, was that Livi could have “done a wee bit better on the counter”.
So to form. Gray’s men have drawn four of their last five league games. Livingston have drawn two and lost three, but it could have been so different if the Lions had not lost those late strikes to in-form Hearts, who had to battle hard to secure the three points, at Dundee and at home to Rangers.
