Match Preview: Livingston (A)

Form:

Games between the two sides have been close affairs this season. A 1-0 defeat at Sunday’s venue was followed up by a 1-1 draw at Tynecastle in November.

Livingston are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions and like Hearts, are fresh off the back of a victory in the Scottish Cup, beating lower league opposition in the shape of Stenhousemuir.

Hearts also enter the match in good form. The Jambos are now nine matches unbeaten in all competitions and that sets this one up to be a very intriguing encounter.

Danger men:

Livingston currently sit fourth in the league table and have been in good goalscoring form of late with of plenty of candidates capable of popping up with a goal.

Bruce Anderson has four strikes to his name in the league this season and the 24-year-old offers much more than just goals; his work rate is the heart of David Martindale’s side.

Another player Hearts will have to keep an eye on is former Hibs man Steven Bradley. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder only joined the club this month but has already impressed and bagged a brace at Ochilview last weekend.

Elsewhere, Hearts fans will be familiar with midfield maestros Jason Holt and Stephane Omeonga, the latter another former Hibs player, whereas Cristian Montano and Stephen Kelly have already been on the scoresheet against the Jam Tarts this season.

Team news:

Hearts remain without Craig Gordon, Craig Halkett, Beni Baningime, Liam Boyce, Peter Haring and Gary Mackay-Steven. With three games in six days ahead for the men in maroon, it remains to be seen if Robbie Neilson will rotate his squad to preserve fitness levels.

Robbie’s pre-match thoughts:

“It's always difficult because they're well organised and make it hard for you to break them down. It'll be a tough one for us.

"We're all good at the moment, we're expecting most of the boys to be back except for one who'll we wait and see on. The players are in a good place at the moment but, as we all know in football, and especially at a club of Hearts' size, it's all about winning the next game.”