Livingston FC vs Ayr United: Championship Match Preview
This Friday, Livingston FC will host Ayr United in a crucial Scottish Championship match, with both teams vying for a spot in the top two. According to BBC Scotland, the match is more about who finishes second, as Livingston’s title hopes have all but disappeared.
The Lions, under the management of David Martindale, conceded the title a few weeks ago and now trail league leaders Falkirk by six points with only three games left to play. As BBC Scotland notes, it would take a dramatic collapse from John McGlynn’s side for Livingston to pip them at the post. Falkirk’s superior goal difference also puts them in a strong position to secure a second successive promotion with a win at home to Raith Rovers on Saturday.
A win for Falkirk would all but seal their promotion, regardless of the outcome at Almondvale Stadium. However, finishing as runners-up is still a significant prize, as it would allow the winning team to avoid the first round of games in the Premiership play-offs. As BBC Scotland points out, this lighter workload cannot be underestimated, particularly after a gruelling season in the second tier.
Ayr United, who are five points behind Livingston, must avoid defeat to stay in the hunt for second. The Honest Men face a challenging run-in, with matches against Queen’s Park and Airdrieonians, while Livingston face Hamilton Academical and play-off chasing Partick Thistle. As BBC Scotland notes, nothing can be taken for granted in this most unpredictable of divisions, with all four opponents having their own burning issues.
In their previous encounters this season, both Livingston and Ayr United have enjoyed their away days against each other, with the three previous matches all won by the visitors. The most recent fixture in February saw Livingston grab a 2-1 win, with Robbie Muirhead scoring an injury-time winner at Somerset Park. Muirhead was also on the scoresheet in the October meeting in Ayrshire, which again resulted in a 2-1 win for the Lions.
United were the team celebrating in December, thanks to George Oakley’s solitary goal. Despite their respective good fortunes on the road, Livingston should be considered favourites given their better form. As BBC Scotland reports, Livingston have come back strongly to win four of their past five matches – including a 5-0 demolition of Queen’s Park to lift the SPFL Trust Trophy. In contrast, Ayr have only managed one win in six, although they did earn a creditable 1-1 draw with Falkirk in front of the BBC Scotland cameras last Friday.
The match will be broadcast live on BBC Scotland, providing fans with an opportunity to see the action unfold in real-time. With both teams eager to secure a spot in the top two, this promises to be an exciting and closely contested match. As BBC Scotland concludes, the outcome of this match will have significant implications for the Championship table, and fans will be eagerly anticipating the kick-off.
