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Hearts will look to inch ever closer to the Scottish Premiership title this weekend when they take on Livingston at the Set Fare Arena.
The visitors currently boast a three-point lead over Rangers and a five-point advantage over Celtic at the top of the league table, but defeat here could see them drop down to second due to Rangers' superior goal difference.
Livingston, meanwhile, are potentially just two weeks away from being confirmed as relegated to the Championship.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our Today's betting tips page for more of our free expert Scottish Premiership predictions.
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Livingston vs Hearts key stats
- Hearts have won each of their last five matches against Livingston.
- Livingston haven't won a match since August.
- Fewer than three goals have been scored in each of Hearts' last four Scottish Premiership matches.
Livingston vs Hearts preview: Visitors to move closer to history
| Livingston | vs | Hearts |
|---|---|---|
| 12th | Position | 1st |
| 15 | Points | 66 |
| 31 | Goals For | 53 |
| 61 | Goals Against | 25 |
| 2 | Clean Sheets | 16 |
| 12th | Home Rank | 1st |
| 12th | Away Rank | 3rd |
Aside from fans of Celtic and Rangers, it feels like everyone with an interest in football in the United Kingdom is rooting for Hearts to get over the line and become the first team outside of the Old Firm to win the Scottish Premiership since Aberdeen in 1985.
The Jam Tarts have been brilliant for much of the season, but there is no doubt that nerves are now starting to play a part, which was evident in their 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock before the international break.
To their credit, they responded to that defeat by downing Dundee a week later and going into the break with that winning feeling could turn out to be pivotal as they look for momentum to carry them over the line.
WLivingston have won just three of their last 22 matches against Hearts.
While Derek McInnes's side were scoring goals for fun at the start of the campaign, their recent success has been built on a resolute defence, and they will need that to continue ahead of the league split in a fortnight.
For this match, McInnes is set to be without Ageu, Calem Nieuwenhof, Finlay Pollock, Tomas Magnusson, Stuart Findley and Stephen Kingsley due to injuries, while Frankie Kent is suspended.
As for Livingston, their season could not be going any different to Hearts'. The Lions have never got going, and preparations for life in the Championship likely started months ago.
Marvin Bartley took over as manager in February on a deal until the end of the season, but the former Queen of the South boss is still searching for his first win, which isn't helping his cause as he looks to secure the job for next season.
Livingston have failed to score in each of their last two league games.
To Livingston's credit, they have dug in more over the past month than they have at any other point this season. Yes, they are winless since August, but four of their last five matches have finished all square, including a 2-2 draw with Rangers, which helped Hearts.
Bartley will have to navigate this fixture without five first-team players, with Joshua Zimmerman, Connor McLennan, Aidan Denholm and Samson Lawal injured, and Brooklyn Kabongolo suspended.
Livingston vs Hearts form guide & betting tips
| Livingston | vs | Hearts |
|---|---|---|
| D-D-D-D-L | League Form | L-W-W-L-W |
| 4 | Points | 9 |
| 10th | Form Table | 3rd |
| 5 | Goals For | 5 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 5 |
| D-D-L | Form (all comps) | W-L-W |
Whispers predicts: Livingston 0-1 Hearts
Hearts have become the 1-0 specialists in recent weeks, with each of their last four victories finishing by this scoreline. Hearts to win to nil has been excellently priced at 6/4.
Another thing we can take from these recent scorelines is that Derek McInnes is not interested in winning this league in style, and nor should he be. Under 2.5 goals has been priced at 6/5.
Lawrence Shankland returned from injury last time out, and the Hearts talisman is priced at 1/1 to score anytime on Saturday.
> Hearts to win to nil at 6/4 | Likelihood: Probable
> Under 2.5 goals at 6/5 | Likelihood: Probable
> Lawrence Shankland to score anytime at 1/1 | Likelihood: Possible