Hearts
- McInnes has turned Hearts into a front-foot, high tempo, high-pressing side who play to score on every chance they can create, which leads to a relentless pace and tempo to their games.
- At the top of Hearts’ success, which has seen them sit top of the Premiership table on 41 points from 19 games, is their most dangerous player Lawrence Shankland.
- With 10 Premiership goals in 18 appearances, he is the division’s most lethal marksman.
- Behind Shankland, Hearts have been incredibly clinical in the final third, using their double striker system in tandem with the runs of the midfield to create constant chances.
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Hearts have scored 20 goals at Tynecastle this Premiership season (2.22 per-match) and they are a real force at home, where they are unbeaten in their last two (W1, D1) and have won 6 and drawn 3 of 9 matches.
- Home stats:
- 20 goals at Tynecastle
- 2.22 per match
- Unbeaten in last two (W1, D1)
- Home stats:
Livingston
- That’s no different here, as he will set his team up to be compact, to be direct and to look for set pieces when in possession.
- The West Lothian club are in a real battle for relegation at the bottom of the table, rooted to the bottom in 12th with just 9 points from their opening 18 games.
- Martindale’s men come into this game on the back of consecutive defeats, a 1-0 defeat at St. Mirren and a 4-2 home defeat to Celtic.
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Jeremy Bokila has provided some of the few positives in their return of 5 goals in 17 Premiership appearances, but Cristian Montano has been a rare bright spot of late with 2 goals in 5 games, 50% of their total goals scored in their last 5 games.
- Away fragility:
- Winless on the road this campaign
- Drawn 4 and lost 6 of 10 away games
- Away fragility:
Head-to-Head
- Hearts have won the last 3 Premiership H2H encounters, including a 2-1 away win just four months ago.
- Livingston are winless on the road this Premiership campaign, having drawn 4 and lost 6 of their 10 away games.
Key Players
- At the top of Hearts’ success, which has seen them sit top of the Premiership table on 41 points from 19 games, is their most dangerous player Lawrence Shankland.
- Jeremy Bokila has provided some of the few positives in their return of 5 goals in 17 Premiership appearances, but Cristian Montano has been a rare bright spot of late with 2 goals in 5 games.
Betting Insights
- Hearts want to get on the front foot as soon as possible, press the ball and try and force the issue in the opponent’s half, whereas Livingston will look to be solid, direct and try and break Hearts down.
- Martindale’s tactical adaptability will keep this game close for a period, but Hearts have more than enough firepower to break through and get ahead in this one.
- McInnes’ men are heavy odds-on at 1.33, while Livingston have no chance at 8.1, and the Jambos should get another home win here to put them in pole position in the Premiership title race.
- Over 2.5 goals at 1.62 is a strong play considering the home goalscoring prowess of Hearts and the defensive frailty of Livingston, who have conceded 20 goals in 10 away games (2.00 per match).
Prediction
McInnes’ men should secure another home win to strengthen their position at the top of the Premiership.
