Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Scottish Premiership match.
Livingston were unable to make the most of home advantage in the first leg. Now, the challenge intensifies — they must secure victory on the road, possibly through a penalty shootout.
Ross County
The squad delivered a fairly subdued performance in the first leg but managed to come away with a respectable 1:1 draw. In the 96th minute, Jordan White was clearly fouled inside the penalty area, tugged by the shirt, and following a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty. Ronan Hale converted confidently into the corner. Ross County created fewer chances than Livingston, registering just 8 shots to their opponents' 16, though both sides managed four shots on target. Defensively, the hosts were more alert, making five blocks compared to just one from their opponents.
Livingston
The key issue for the team was their lack of cutting edge in front of goal. The statistics tell the story. Particularly wasteful was the physical centre-forward Robbie Muirhead, who managed only two shots — neither of which threatened the goal. Late in the match, Lewis Smith received a yellow card for simulation in the penalty area — a contentious decision, as at least two Ross County defenders appeared to make contact.
Ross County vs Livingston Prediction
Ross County will have the benefit of playing at home in the second leg, but recent results show this may not be a decisive factor. They lost to Heart of Midlothian (1:3) and drew with Motherwell (1:1) in their most recent outings on home turf. There’s little to suggest a clear upper hand for the Premiership side. Their continued struggles to score from open play remain a concern, and it would not be surprising if no more than two goals are scored in regulation time. Focus and composure will likely determine who secures a place in next season’s top flight.
