Livingston vs Raith Predictions

• Livingston’s only defeat in their last seven League Cup home games was to Rangers (won six).
• Raith Rovers have not beaten top-flight opposition in the League Cup since 2015 ( in 90 min).
• Raith Rovers have scored in eight of their last ten League Cup games.
• Livingston have conceded in five of their last eight home League Cup games.

Lions to awaken in ‘must-win’ match

Livingston face a ‘must-win’ League Cup clash with Group D leaders Raith Rovers on Wednesday.

The Lions slipped up at Alloa Athletic on Saturday and, despite the clear excuse of Covid in the camp, manager David Martindale was not slow to point out a need for more quality.

Anything less than victory against Championship outfit Raith, who have six points from two games, would make it very tricky for Livi to get into the knockout rounds.

But the hosts have been able to train since Monday so should be in better shape – if still not quite at their full capacity – for this one – and a response is almost guaranteed because the game is live on national TV.

Last season’s run to the final saw Martindale’s men regularly keep clean sheets, but the way they conceded two late goals to Alloa is a concern for backers looking for Livi to win to nil.

Instead it may prove profitable to support a Livingston win with both teams on the scoresheet as Raith have shown themselves to be quite prolific in pre-season.

They smashed Brechin 4-0, scoring one goal more than Livi themselves managed against the same opposition and have now bagged in eight of their last ten League Cup games.

But we don’t think John McGlynn’s men – who have not beaten top-flight opponents in this competition since 2015 – are going to stun their hosts and secure passage to round two on Wednesday.

The full-time score prediction of 3-1 is based on Livingston averaging 2.6 goals per game at home in the League Cup since 2019 and Raith’s record of scoring on their travels.