It’s the one we’ve all been waiting for – the Betfred Cup semi-final at Hampden Park.

It’s safe to say when St Mirren beat us 1-0 at the Tony Macaroni Arena back on Saturday 21^st November 2020, absolutely no-one could have predicted that our next meeting would come off the back of a 10 game unbeaten run, including 8 straight wins and back-to-back draws against league champions, Celtic. It’s a funny old game indeed!

The Saints themselves, having recorded 6 defeats in-a-row from August to October, went on an 11 game unbeaten run which included a 1-0 win here at the Tony Macaroni Arena, a late 3-2 comeback win at home to St Johnstone and of course, that memorable 3-2 Betfred Cup quarter-final victory against then favourites, Rangers.

That form has since dropped off though with the Buddies having only recorded 1 win in their last 6 games. However, it’s safe to say form often goes out the window in games of this size and with 2 wins over us this season already, Jim Goodwin’s men will be tapping into that for their motivation this weekend.

St Mirren’s road to the semi-final hasn’t been complete, plain sailing. They did top their group with 2 wins and 2 draws with victories over Partick Thistle and Queens Park and draws against Queen of the South and Dundee United, picking up the bonus point after penalties in both those draws.

The knockout stages pitted St Mirren against Aberdeen and Rangers with the Paisley side the underdog in both matches but a late Jamie McGrath goal against Aberdeen sealed a 2-1 win before drama ensued in the last 8 tie with Rangers. St Mirren thought they had done enough to win in 90 minutes, leading 2-1 win as the game approached the 90^th minute but a late equaliser from Steven Davis looked to have sent the game into extra-time. St Mirren had other ideas though and with all but the last kick of the game, Conor McCarthy fired the Buddies into the semis, recording a fantastic 3-2 win.

For the Lions, 4 wins from 4 in the group stage was followed up with straight forward victories against Ayr United and Ross County to book our own place in the semi-final. 21 goals scored and only 3 conceded across the 6 games is terrific form to be heading into the semi-finals with.

Alan Forrest has found the net 7 times in the competition with Craig Sibbald becoming our 10^th different Betfred Cup scorer this season with his brilliant finish in the quarter-final win over Ross County.

After making their debuts from the bench in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Celtic, Gavin Reilly and Jaze Kabia will both be hoping to have forced themselves into contention for starting, with Jackson Longridge available to make his debut in this one.

Long term absentees Alan Lithgow and Keaghan Jacobs remain side-lined with injury.

All that’s left for us to say is – COME ON YOU LIONS!

Out on loan – Brian Schwake, Ross Stewart, Robbie Crawford & Raffa De Vita.

How to Watch the Game?

Premier Sports will have live and exclusive coverage of this one with details on how to access that below.

– Sky customers signing up at www.premiersports.com can watch Livingston v St. Mirren on Premier Sports 1 HD on channel 412.

New customers can subscribe from just £9.99 per month (6 month minimum term), £12.99 per month (1 month minimum term) or £120 annually. Premier Sports customers on Sky will also receive free access to the Premier Player by registering here:

https://www.premierplayer.tv/subscribe/existing-customer

– Online (Web, iOS App, Android App): www.premierplayer.tv Premier Player from just £9.99 per month (6 month minimum term), £12.99 per month (1 month minimum term) or £99 annually. If using App please set up account first on web browser before downloading the App.

– Virgin customers: Premier Sports 1 HD channel 551. You can subscribe from just £9.99 per month via the provider with no connection fee or minimum contract. Call 0845 840 7777 or set up viewing via box. (Press Home > Apps and Games > All Apps > TV Upgrades.)

Premier Sports offer paid subscription services. Payments for subscriptions to Premier Sports via Sky or the Premier Player streaming service will automatically recur monthly or annually dependent on your chosen package unless notice is given to cancel. The auto-recurring price will be at the standard rate. Cancelations must be made by phone or email and must include a minimum 5 days’ notice prior to next bill. No cancelations accepted within 48 hours of subscribing. Minimum Subscriptions period is dependant (and matches) your chosen package. Terms and Conditions apply. For full terms and conditions visit www.premiersports.com

Full Terms and Conditions available at www.premiersports.com”

Last Meeting

November 2020 – Livingston 0-1 St Mirren.

Livingston XI that day – Stryjek, Devlin, Brown, Guthrie, Bartley, Pittman (74), Sibbald (64), Forrest, Holt, Lawson (74), Emmanuel-Thomas.

Subs – Maley, Fitzwater, Serrano (64), McMillan, Ambrose, Taylor-Sinclair, Mullin (74), Robinson, Poplatnik (74).

St Mirren Last 6 Form

L-D-D-L-W-L

Overall H2H Record

Played – 24
Livingston Wins – 9
Draws – 4
St Mirren Wins – 11

Match Officials

Referee – David Munro.
Assistant Referees – David Roome & Drew Kirkland.
Fourth Official – Alan Muir.

Premiership & Betfred Cup Fixtures for weekend of 23^rd/24^th January 2021

Aberdeen vs Motherwell – Premiership – Saturday 3pm.
Rangers vs Ross County – Premiership – Saturday 3pm.
St Johnstone vs Hibernian – Betfred Cup Semi-Final – Saturday 5.30pm.
Livingston vs St Mirren – Betfred Cup Semi-Final – Sunday 4pm.

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