St Johnstone make the trip to Livingston on Saturday afternoon looking for the win that is required to have a chance of moving outside of the Scottish Premiership relegation zone.
At a time when the visitors occupy 11th position in the standings, Livingston have already been relegated after a dismal campaign.
Match preview
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When St Johnstone got the better of Hibernian at the start of April, there was a feeling that they could move clear of trouble in the top flight.
Instead, three successive defeats have left Craig Levein's side two points adrift of safety with three matches remaining, a game with nearest rivals Ross County still to come.
Levein will be desperate to reach that fixture - the next on their schedule - within touching distance of overtaking Ross County, effectively making this contest with Livingston their most important of the campaign.
Unless St Johnstone can record just their eighth win of the season, they will be at risk of being at least four points adrift of Ross County with two matches left.
On a plus note, St Johnstone's last three victories have all been away from home, and that bodes well ahead of a game against opponents who only have pride to play for.
Although Livingston have a recent win over Ross County under their belts, the feeling has been they have been all but relegated for some time.
A 10-point deficit with three games remaining means that second-tier football is to come in 2024-25, David Martindale now attempting to end their top-flight stay on somewhat of a high.
Last time out, the Lions succumbed to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Motherwell; Livingston still have no away win on their league record since August 26.
While they have hardly been prolific at the Almondvale Stadium, consecutive clean sheets have been recorded against Aberdeen and Ross County respectively.
Team News
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Martindale could choose to make a number of changes to his Livingston side, including recalling Joel Nouble who scored as a substitute last time out.
Andrew Shinnie, Steven Bradley and Tete Yengi will also be considered for opportunities in the final third, Martindale perhaps prepared to go on the attack.
Having only lost out to a second-half penalty at Aberdeen, Levein may be prepared to stick with the same St Johnstone XI.
Cammy MacPherson, Adama Sidibeh and Stevie May are all alternatives in midfield and attack.
Sven Sprangler may be considered for a first appearance in two months if he is passed fit after a knee injury.
Livingston possible starting lineup:
George; Nottingham, Devlin, Obileye, Kelly; Brandon; Bradley, Holt, Kelly, Pittman; Nouble
St Johnstone possible starting lineup:
Mitov; McGowan, Gordon, Considine; Wright, Smith, Phillips, Smith, Carey; Kimpioka, Clark
We say: Livingston 1-1 St Johnstone
With Livingston having no pressure on their shoulders now, they could play more freely and pose more of a threat. With that in mind, we see this game ending in a share of the spoils, a result that may not necessarily suit St Johnstone depending on results elsewhere.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
