Partick Thistle proving easy for lively Livingston to handle

Livi can secure promotion to top flight

Partick's Paul McGinn (left) will be hoping to help his side secure their Premiership futureCredit: Ian MacNicol

Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership playoff final second leg
BT Sport 2, 3.30pm Sunday

Livingston can finish the job in Glasgow and end a 12-year exile from the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership.

David Hopkin's overachievers take a thoroughly-deserved 2-1 semi-final first-leg lead into the return at Firhill.

Partick Thistle completely failed to deal with Livingston's up-and-at-'em approach and were suckered into trying to play football, which played into the hands of their hosts.

The West Lothian outfit have been criticised for their direct style of play, but don't be fooled - Hopkin has got them playing to their strengths and they know exactly what they are doing.

Thistle simply couldn't handle the physicality of Livi and, unfortunately for them, their side is crammed full of nice players.

You probably couldn't meet a nicer bunch of lads, but they were stunned as the likes of Declan Gallacher, Shaun Byrne and Lee Miller thundered into tackles and aerial challenges.

Hopkin revealed after the game that he had only had 15 fit players to choose from, but the ones who do play are probably one of the fittest teams in the land.

Traditionally, the Premiership team have gone through with ease in this fixture and Thistle will be hoping that their supposedly superior skill and home advantage can save them.

But Alan Archibald has shown precious little evidence that he will be able to tactically outfox teams this season and the Jags' five-year stint in the top flight could be over.

Backing Livingston to score at least twice is an appealing wager.

Recommendation
Over 1.5 Livingston goals
1pt 10-3 Sky Bet

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership

Ladbrokes Scottish Championship

Team news
Partick Thistle
Thistle are without Stuart Bannigan. They are hoping Chris Erskine and Niall Keown will be passed fit.

Livingston
Livingston are missing Ryan Hardie and Rafa de Vita.

Key stat
Livingston won more points and scored more goals away from home than at their Tony Macaroni Arena home this season.

World Cup quizzes

Group A & B

Which World Cup legend are you?

Today's top sports betting stories