Match Preview: Livingston (Home)

Raith Rovers  V  Livingston  Saturday 8th August 2015 Stark’s Park  Kick off: 3.00pm

 Admission Information:

Adults – £18

Over 65 / Under 16 / Disabled* – £9

Parent & Child – £21

Jobseekers & Students** – £12

*Disabled fans are entitled to a carer, if required, for free

**Students and jobseekers both require valid proof of status and tickets must be purchased at the main ticket office

Both teams have won their first two cup ties against lower league opposition. While Ray McKinnon’s men were dispensing with Cowdenbeath and Albion Rovers in the Petrofac Training Cup and League Cup respectively, Livingston had a double-header against Barry Ferguson’s Clyde team.

Both were tight affairs, with Livingston emerging by a single goal on either occasion. The first, saw excellent strikes from Miles Hippolyte and Danny Mullen take The Amber Machine through to the next round, although Michael Bolochoweckyk reduced the arrears late on.

Last Saturday’s match was even closer, eventually requiring extra-time after 90 goalless minutes, before Jordan White’s winner prevented the match from heading to penalties.

Mark Burchill had a hectic summer period, bringing in a dozen new faces in the build up to the new term. In defence, former Alloa Athletic captain, Ben Gordon has been brought in, while full-backs, Ross Millen and Jackson Longridge have been acquired from Dunfermline and Stranraer.The Livingston boss also raided Alloa for their 14-goal striker, Liam Buchanan, and he’ll be expected to lead the line this weekend.

Raith had a fine record at Almondvale Stadium last season, winning both matches without conceding a goal, but it was a different story here at Stark’s Park, where Raith lost heavily in both matches.

In December, a red-card for Ross Perry in the opening few moments was the pre-cursor to a 5-1 defeat, while in April, Livi were again clear winners in a 4-0 away win.

There’s rarely a draw in this fixture, with just four in 26 meetings, the last of which was in 2012. However, the recent head-to-head record does see Livingston hold the advantage, with six wins to Rovers four in the last ten fixtures.

Saturday’s match referee will be Mat Northcroft.

Head-to-Head League Record at Stark’s Park:

Raith Rovers Wins: 3 | Livingston Wins: 8 | Draws: 1

Raith Rovers Goals: 11 | Livingston Goals: 25

Current Form:

Raith Rovers: W-W | Livingston W-W

Top Goalscorers:

Raith Rovers: Lewis Vaughan 2 | Kyle Benedictus 1 | Rory McKeown 1

Livingston: Jordan White 1 | Danny Mullen 1 | Miles Hippolyte 1

Match Odds:

Raith Rovers: 6/5 | Livingston: 9/4 | Draw: 5/2

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