Peter Houston
Former Scotland assistant manager on BBC Sportsound

Arnaud Djoum is next to threaten for Hearts.

The Cameroon midfielder picks up his own deflected pass off a defender and sends a powerful drive flashing past the junction of post and bar from just inside the penalty box.

Peter Houston
Former Scotland assistant manager on BBC Sportsound

Scott McDonald
Former Celtic striker on BBC Sportsound

It is Hearts' turn to be a lick of paint away from the lead.

The ever-impressive Peter Haring finds Demetri Mitchell on the edge of the box and the on-loan Manchester United wing-back curls a left-foot drive that strikes the inside of the post and runs along the face of goal before being cleared.

Scott McDonald
Former Celtic striker on BBC Sportsound

Hearts are first to threaten as Callumn Morrison wins a free-kick outside the penalty box.

But Livingston clear, break swiftly and Scott Pittman sets up Ryan Hardie inside the penalty box.

The on-loan Rangers striker fires low across goal, but it comes off the inside of the post and into the grateful arms of goalkeeper Zdenek Zamal.

Peter Houston
Former Scotland assistant manager on BBC Sportsound

Livingston are pegging Hearts back into their own half in the early stages.

Promising start for the side who have only lost once at home this season.

Livingston get the game under way in their traditional all yellow, while Hearts are in their change strip of all blue

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Here they come into a bitterly cold Tony Macaroni Arena - Almondvale in old money!

The teams are in the tunnel. Not long to go now...

More from Hearts manager Craig Levein...

"It's always difficult when you're not winning," he says. "We had some tough matches in there. I could argue some of the games we could have won - but the fact is we hadn't won in seven.

"To get the win last week was good, to not lose any goals was good.

"I'm hoping we can build on that performance.

"People go on too much about the plastic pitch - I think, if you come into a game like this and get into your mind you don't like playing on this or don't like the environment, it gives the opposition a head start before the first whistle goes.

"What's really important is we shed any thoughts of negativity and just get on with the game."

Craig Levein says captain Christophe Berra, who makes his 200th appearance for Hearts tonight, had a big part to play in Hearts' first win since October last week.

"Having Christophe back obviously makes the players in the team more secure," the manager tells BBC Scotland.

"He's an old-fashioned defender, he likes defending, he likes clearing the ball, heading, tackling.

"He's had a fantastic career and hopefully he can keep playing for another three or four years yet."

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Livingston manager Gary Holt has pointed out that, despite his side being renowned for their strength at set-pieces, they are in fact far from the tallest in the Premiership.

"I've read a few things that teams have sussed us out, but we haven't changed any style of play - it's the same every game - so I don't know how they've sussed us out game to game," he says.

"We'll stick to our principles, we'll stick to what we're good at and we'll make it difficult for teams, it's as simple as that. We'll use the tools we have.

"Yes, we've got a long throw. Yes, we're good at set plays.

"We've got the third smallest team in the league, but what we have got are honest boys who are prepared to get hurt in both boxes."

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Craig Levein is on Hearts' bench despite being under threat of Scottish FA ban following his criticism of the match officials in his side's defeat by Rangers.

The manager had been cited the compliance officer.

Asked if he will challenge the potential ban, he tells BBC Scotland: "I don't want to talk about it too much as we've got a game tonight, but absolutely."

Craig Levein has been explaining his reasoning behind leaving Marcus Godinho and Sean Clare out of the match this evening.

"Marcus has had quite severe knee problems and he got another little knock on his knee," the Hearts manager tells BBC Scotland. "I don't think it's anything serious, but I didn't want to take any chances.

"Sean has done quite well recently, I wanted to inject some more pace in the forward areas. Not to say that Sean's not quick, but he's the one that has played quite a lot recently and he as due a rest."

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It is a quick turnover for Livingston and manager Gary Holt makes three changes from Tuesday's 3-2 defeat by Aberdeen.

Versatile Bobby Burns sits out the game under the terms of his loan agreement from Hearts.

Striker Ryan Hardie starts after being left on the bench on Tuesday night, as do Nicky Cadden and Steven Lawless in midfield.

Jack McMillan drops to the bench despite scoring the second goal against Aberdeen.

Craig Sibbald also takes his place among the substitutes.

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Hearts manager Craig Levein drops midfielder Sean Clare and full-back Marcus Godinho to the bench.

In come winger Callumn Morrison and on-loan Manchester United wide man Demetri Mitchell.

Levein appears to be looking to inject some extra pace into his side.

Image source, SNS