Kilmarnock will look to hit the ground running as they welcome newly promoted Livingston to Rugby Park for the curtain raiser of the 2025–26 Scottish Premiership campaign.
The hosts are seeking to improve on last season’s ninth-place finish in the top flight, while the visitors make an immediate return to the Premiership following a second-place finish in the Championship and a playoff triumph over Ross County.
Read our Scottish Premiership qualifiers predictions and betting tips along with the latest odds for the Kilmarnock vs. Livingston prediction below.
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Kilmarnock vs Livingston predictions: Killie set sights on perfect start
Key stats
- The last five encounters between these two sides have all seen fewer than four cards shown.
- Kilmarnock have won each of their last three home games without conceding a goal.
- Livingston have failed to score in each of their last three meetings against Kilmarnock.
Kilmarnock vs Livingston correct score: Kilmarnock 1-0 Livingston
This encounter promises to be tightly contested, with the visitors arriving in strong form. However, Kilmarnock’s defensive solidity at Rugby Park could prove decisive.
With five clean sheets in their last five outings, the hosts are likely to edge this one, and a single goal may be enough to ensure a perfect start to the new campaign.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Visitors regarded as clear favourites
- HOME: 1/1 (2.00) – 50.0%
- DRAW: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%
- AWAY: 13/5 (3.60) – 27.8%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
An implied probability of 50.0% attached to Kilmarnock’s 1/1 odds reflects their status as favourites. The Ayrshire outfit will be looking to give their supporters an opening-day performance to remember, with home advantage placing them in a strong position.
Despite a modest 27.8% chance of victory based on the odds, Livingston arrive with momentum, having recorded six wins in their last seven outings. However, the West Lothian side have lost each of their last four visits to Rugby Park.
Anyway, if you liked our predictions for this game, go check out some of our top betting tips for today as well.
Most recent H2Hs: Hosts out to extend strong run
The most recent meeting between these two sides ended in a 1–0 victory for Kilmarnock in the League Cup group stage, extending their run to four straight home wins against Livingston.
Scotland League Cup 16/07/25
Kilmarnock
Livingston
Scotland Premiership 07/02/24
Kilmarnock
Livingston
Scotland Premiership 16/12/23
Livingston
Kilmarnock
Scotland Premiership 21/10/23
Kilmarnock
Livingston
Scotland Premiership 13/05/23
Kilmarnock
Livingston
Kilmarnock preview: Anderson in contention to face former side
Kilmarnock come into this fixture on the back of an emphatic 4–0 victory in their final League Cup group stage outing, a result that saw them top their section and progress directly to the knockout phase.
Ben Brannan was the standout performer last time out, netting a brace, while Marcus Dackers and Djenairo Daniels also found the target as the pair operated in a two-man attack.
A similar setup could be deployed this weekend, though new signing Bruce Anderson is in contention to start against his former club, having scored 11 league goals for Livingston last season.
Predicted lineup: Stryjek (GK), Mayo, Stanger, Deas, Brandon, Watson, Polworth, Brannan, Dackers & Daniels
Scotland Premiership 10/05/25
W
Dundee
2
Kilmarnock
3
Scotland Premiership 03/05/25
W
St Johnstone
0
Kilmarnock
2
Scotland Premiership 26/04/25
W
Ross County
0
Kilmarnock
2
Scotland Premiership 12/04/25
L
Celtic
5
Kilmarnock
1
Scotland Premiership 05/04/25
W
Motherwell
0
Kilmarnock
2
Livingston preview: Kerr remains sidelined
Livingston head into the season opener on the back of a dominant 6–0 win over Kelty Hearts in their final League Cup group stage match. Although they finished second to Kilmarnock in the group, the Lions progressed to the knockouts as one of the best-ranked runners-up.
Robbie Muirhead is expected to lead the line again after scoring twice in the last outing, while right-back Cammy Kerr remains sidelined through injury until January.
Scotland Premiership Play-Offs 13/05/25
W
Partick
0
Livingston
2
Scotland Championship 02/05/25
L
Partick
1
Livingston
0
Scotland Championship 26/04/25
W
Hamilton
0
Livingston
3
Scotland Championship 18/04/25
W
Ayr
0
Livingston
5
Scotland Championship 12/04/25
W
Morton
1
Livingston
2
Player to watch: Djenairo Daniels
Daniels has made a positive impression since arriving at Rugby Park this summer, scoring twice in four League Cup appearances. He will be looking to burst out of the blocks in the top flight, and his recent performances suggest he could be a real handful for the Livingston defence.
