'I can see an entertaining game' : Journalists' predictions for Hibs v Livingston

Our online team predict the outcome of the Lothian clash at Easter Road on Saturday
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Joel Sked: This is one of the most interesting games in the SPFL this weekend with ramifications for both the hunt for a European spot and a top-six berth. Livi are the top team in the Lothians currently and have yet to be beaten by either Hearts or Hibs this campaign. The signing of Efe Ambrose is quite the coup and will certainly improve the team defensively. The good news for Hibs is that Marvin Bartley may miss the match having sat out the visit to Ibrox with an ankle injury. His presence would make it extremely difficult for Hibs to sweep through the centre as they have done so recently with the likes of Greg Docherty and Scott Allan. The switch to a back three has given Hibs better balance with Paul Hanlon suiting the system much more than a back four and will give them plenty of bodies up against Lyndon Dykes. Very close to call but... Prediction: Hibs win

Anthony Brown: Hibs are playing some really good attacking football under Jack Ross and can be expected to find the net at least a couple of times in most games against non-Old Firm opposition. With defence having seemingly been tightened up by the switch to 3-5-2 and the form of Adam Jackson, they look capable of scoring more goals than their visitors. Prediction: Hibs 2 Livingston 1

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Patrick McPartlin: Hibs ideally need another three points to keep their European hopes alive while victory would see them leapfrog their opponents on Saturday. This should, on paper, be a straightforward task for Hibs. The visitors haven't scored in their last three away games and have only won twice on the road all season. That being said, they're unbeaten against Hibs this season and only an injury-time equaliser from Martin Boyle in late October denied them maximum points. But Hibs are a different prospect now. The arrival of Greg Docherty and return of Stephane Omeonga has beefed up the midfield, the attack looks stronger and even the defence looks to be shaping up well. All-in-all, Livingston will be facing a different side. One thing Hibs haven't been great at in recent seasons is building on good results like last weekend's victory against Kilmarnock - can they go against the grain this weekend and post a fourth consecutive win? I say yes. Prediction: Hibs win

Hibs welcome Livingston to Easter Road. Picture: SNSHibs welcome Livingston to Easter Road. Picture: SNS
Hibs welcome Livingston to Easter Road. Picture: SNS

Neil McGlade: Hibs are chasing a fourth consecutive win in all competitions but face a tough ask against a well-drilled Livingston side. With just five points separating Ross' side in sixth and Aberdeen and Motherwell in joint-third, the Easter Road outfit have just as good a chance as their opponents do of slotting in behind the Old Firm come May. The likes of Greg Docherty and Scott Allan will not be afforded the time on the ball that they enjoyed in the win at Kilmarnock last week, that's for sure. Livi were unlucky not to take a point from their visit to Ibrox and in Lyndon Dykes always carry a threat. I can see an entertaining game, possibly with a few goals to throw in, but I can't separate the sides. Prediction: Draw.

Related topics: