Today, Livingston FC welcome Hamilton Academical FC to the Tony Macaroni Arena for a Ladbrokes Premiership encounter. Accies currently sit in 11th position, with three points from a possible twelve, whilst the Lions sit in 4th with seven.

This afternoon’s fixture is the 29th meeting between Livi and Accies in all competitions, with the South Lanarkshire club winning on 12 of the previous 28 occasions. Today’s encounter will also be the 13th time that Livingston have hosted their visitors from Hamilton, with the previous 12 meetings having been shared evenly – 3 wins for each team and 6 draws.

Hamilton’s campaign so far;

Accies started their season with a disappointing defeat at the hands of Annan Athletic in the BetFred Cup group stage. This was then followed by a Tuesday night encounter with Livingston at New Douglas Park, which ended as a 0-0 draw. The bonus point went to the Lions, however, after a penalty shootout defeat for the hosts.

The third group game was much more like the Premiership side Hamilton have proved they are, as they defeated Berwick Rangers 4-0, thanks to a Mickel Miller hat trick, and a goal Rakish Bingham effort. Bingham was on the scoresheet again for Accies as they drew 1-1 with Airdrieonians, meaning they’d face another shootout. This time though, they came out on top, winning the bonus point as they bowed out of the BetFred Cup with six points.

Hamilton kicked off their Premiership campaign with a 4-1 defeat to Hearts. Accies took the lead through Mickel Miller, but goals from Naismith, MacLean and a Peter Haring double made it a poor start for the Lanarkshire club.

Next came the Lanarkshire Derby, as Hamilton travelled to Fir Park to take on Motherwell. The visitors claimed all three points with a 1-0 victory as a Steven Boyd wonder strike sealed the victory for Martin Canning’s men. The former Livi loanee received the ball in the air from a deflected free-kick, and volleyed past Trevor Carson into the top corner.

Accies then travelled to Celtic Park to take on Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic. The Hoops comfortably won thanks to a Dedryck Boyata header, but Hamilton could be proud with their performance and the very respectable 1-0 scoreline.

Hamilton then welcomed St Johnstone to New Douglas Park for their fourth Premiership match of the season. Rakish Bingham got on the scoresheet for Accies but goals from Alston and McMillan took the three points back to Perth, leaving the hosts with one win from four in the league.

How it’s gone before;

Historically, encounters between the sides have been relatively low-scoring, with only 63 goals overall. Hamilton have held the upper hand in the head-to-head fixtures and have scored on 39 occasions compared to Livingston’s 24 goals.

There have been 24 goals scored in games between the clubs in West Lothian, averaging 2.0 per match, however Hamilton have scored twice as many as their hosts – 16 compared to Livi’s 8.

The last three encounters in West Lothian have all ended in stalemate; 1-1 in 2014 and two goalless draws in 2013. Livi’s last victory over Accies in a home match was in a 1-0 win in 2011. However, Hamilton have since been on an undefeated run of five matches on visits to Livingston, during which they have scored eight goals and conceded only once.

The first meeting between the sides was 22 years ago, in a League One game at Almondvale in August 1996 that the home team won 1-0, whilst the most recent game saw newly promoted Livi travel to Hamilton in the BetFred Cup earlier this season, in mid-July. This ended 0-0, but The Lions held their nerves in the shootout and secured the bonus point after prevailing 6-5 from the spot kicks.

What do the bookies predict?

League sponsors Ladbrokes make Livi favourites at 19/20. A draw is priced at 11/5, whilst a Hamilton victory is 16/5.

If you fancy Jack Hamilton to net against his namesake, the teenager is 19/10 to score anytime. Steven Boyd to score against his old club is 10/3.

How much is it to get in?

Prices are set at £24 for adults, £16 for concessions and £10 for Under 16s. Concessions are under 18s, those aged 65 and over, and full-time students who show a valid matriculation card. This also applies to disabled supporters, with carers going free.

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