Livi skipper Craig Halkett gets his marching orders from referee Willie Collum after taking Brad Lyons down just outside the box.

The follow-up free kick flies wide.

Matty Kennedy causing chaos for Dundee. Great wing play on the left from the 24-year-old sees him deliver a dangerous cross that St Johnstone team-mate Callum Hendry, diving full length, just fails to connect with six yards out.

A nervy moment for Motherwell goalkeeper Mark Gillespie as he fumbles a David McMillan shot, but quickly recovers. Bright start from both sides, with James Scott also hitting the target for the visitors early on, drawing a save from Hamilton's Gary Woods.

Scott McKenna heads wide of Killie's back post as the big defender rises to meet a Stevie May cross following a free-kick.

Mickey Devlin was sent off early against Kilmarnock earlier this season, but the Dons defender escapes with a yellow card this time after a similar incident.

He is only just inside his own half when he pulls down Eamonn Brophy, but fortunately for the visiting side, Devlin had plenty of team-mates in red in attendance.

Saints are first to threaten as Matty Kennedy races down the left into the penalty box, beats Ryan McGowan and cuts a shot towards the near post that forces a fine diving save from Dundee goalkeeper Seny Dieng.

Willie Miller
Former Scotland defender on BBC Radio Scotland

First goal of the day goes to League Two leaders Peterhead, courtesy of an own goal from Elgin City's Callum Wilson.

Kenny Crawford
BBC Sport Scotland at the Tony Macaroni Arena

Right, we’re under way in West Lothian, Livingston in their usual all yellow and St Mirren in red and black.

St Mirren striker Danny Mullen is up against his old team, but it’s Livi who have the first chance with a speculative curling effort by Scott Robinson.

We are up and running across the country...

Two possible candidates to replace the sacked Alex McLeish as Scotland head coach go head to head at Rugby Park.

Aberdeen's Derek McInnes said this week that "managing your country would have to be up there with the majority of managers as some sort of ambition at some point" but would not be drawn on whether he would be interested right now.

Kilmarnock's Steve Clarke, who yesterday said that his criticism of the Scottish FA could work against him, has just responded to his midfielder Gary Dicker suggesting he is "too young" for the national job by saying "you are never too young or too old for any job - it is all about mindset. Let's see what happens in the summer".

With the two sides tied on points behind Celtic and Rangers in the Premiership, there could be more than just third place to fight for this afternoon. Both men are near the top of the betting for the national role.

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock are just one shy of last season's record points total of 59 points manager Steve Clarke is delighted with that.

"It would be a big achievement for us," he tells BBC Scotland. "If we can do that with a home win, it would give us a double boost.

"It would also be a good day to break that little jinx we have against Aberdeen."

He also spends some time expertly skirting questions about becoming the next Scotland boss...

St Mirren boss Oran Kearney says his side are in "good spirits" ahead of their crucial tie against Livingston and doesn't want his side going out "wound up" about the situation they are in at the bottom of the table.

"We've gained a huge amount of momentum in the last six weeks but it's so important now we have our finger on the pulse and make sure we get a performance that befits what we need today.

"We can keep talking about the teams around us, but we have our own agenda which is picking up points most importantly.

"No matter what is said through the week or what seeds are planted the minute that ball is kicked at three o'clock, you go into auto-pilot and fight for every ball and we're preparing for the Livingston which we've played all season and a tough encounter."

St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright insists his team's campaign has been a success despite failing to make the top six.

Wright said: "We've had a good season - we're six points better off than last term. And three out of the past four seasons, 44 points would have got us top six.

"We're looking to finish strongly. The players know what I expect, they're an honest bunch, and we don't want a drift to the end of the season. Today is a perfect game as Dundee have a lot to play and we need to be up for the challenge.

Livingston manager Gary Holt says they are focused on looking upwards and catching St Johnstone in their post-split fixtures.

"We've had the almighty pressure of staying in the league and we batted that very well so we've set them challenges - can we get seventh, can we go five games unbeaten, can we get to 50 points?

"Every game we've played has been a battle, we know they'll be fighting and scrapping for three points so hoping it's going to be a good game - they're not going to come and sit in so that should make it open but we've got tools that should score at the other end.

"So hopefully a clean sheet with a couple of goals at the other end."

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes reveals that on-loan Birmingham City forward Greg Stewart misses out at Rugby Park the sciatica problem that has plagued him for several weeks.

He will not be drawn on whether he will be playing a back-three or back-four after making three changes to his side after the Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Celtic.

"You've got to be able to respond to disappointments and I'm glad we've got this kind of game today," he tells BBC Scotland. "We've usually found a way to win here - and a win for either team puts you in pole position for that European spot.

"We're a wide player short, so we are trying to find a way here to get enough power and speed on the side of the pitch."

Image source, SNS

Dundee manager Jim McIntyre is adamant his team can climb off the bottom and save their Premiership skins.

He said: "It's a five-game season for us now and we need to apply pressure on St Mirren and Hamilton. We know we've got it all to do, we're playing catch-up, but I have faith the players can do it. It's equally important they believe as well.

"Even if one of our players isn't bringing his best quality to the game, make sure the opposition player isn't either so you cancel each other out. Sometimes it can boil down to being as simple as that."

While Kilmarnock have form on their side, the weight of history favours the visitors who are behind them in the Premiership table only by goal difference.

Aberdeen have won nine consecutive league games at Rugby Park and are unbeaten there in 13 visits in all competitions since November 2010.

Indeed, Kilmarnock have won only one of their last 21 league games against the Dons.

Derek McInnes' side have won seven of their past nine away games in the Premiership, losing only one, but their form overall is patchy and they suffered a bruising 3-0 defeat by Celtic in last Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final.

Kilmarnock, meanwhile, are unbeaten in six games as they look to retain third place.