'I'm keen to see us build on last week's win' - Journalist and fan predictions for Livingston v Hibs

Connaire Wallace, Hibs fan

Last Saturday's match against Kilmarnock was very much a tale of two halves. Hibs flew out the traps and were zipping the ball around brilliantly for the majority of the first half, of course topped off by two top-drawer goals from Martin Boyle. However, the same frailties seem to linger as a wonderful free-kick by Chris Burke gave Kilmarnock a lifeline.

After that goal, it wasn't quite the nail-biting, backs-to-the-wall stuff we've come to expect in the latter stages of games, but we are still struggling to put teams away in a convincing manner. If we want to challenge for a European spot we must build our base from the back and becoming a more solid unit as the forward areas will take care of themselves with the talent we have there.

The key to victory today looks likely to be the battle of the enforcers in Alex Gogic and former Hibee Marvin Bartley. We need to earn the right to play football by winning that duel, if we can do that as well as keeping tabs on Lyndon Dykes we have the players to hurt Livingston and I am going for a narrow Hibs win. Prediction: Livingston 1-2 Hibernian

Mark Atkinson, Evening News Sport Editor

I thought Hibs did well against Kilmarnock, firstly in creating such a strong lead and then staying resolute when Killie fought back. They will need that grit and determination today against a Livingston team that Hibs failed to beat last season and always provide a stern test on their own patch. By all accounts, Livi were poor away at St Mirren last week, but knowing Gary Holt and the seasoned players in their squad, they will react accordingly and put in a much better performance. A lot of Hibs fans will expect Hibs to turn Livingston over, but this is a really tough match. Livi are much more than just an awkward team. They have threats in Lyndon Dykes and Alan Forrest, a strong spine through their team and a good keeper in Robby McCrorie. Of course, Hibs have their threats too in Martin Boyle, Scott Allan and Christian Doidge, but they'll do well to take a point from West Lothian. This will end up a draw for me. Prediction: Livingston 1-1 Hibs.

Duncan McKay, Hibs fan and Terrace Podcast / A View from the Terrace contributor

Call the season. Call it right now. Second place means Champions League football for the Hibs next season after our accomplished dismantling of Kilmarnock last weekend. Martin Boyle was his effervescent self, his two goals showing how important he is as an outlet and how crucial he may be to overcoming our new ‘derby’ (it’s not a derby) rivals in Livingston. The Tony Macaroni Arena has not been a happy hunting ground for us in recent years but then again, we’ve not had someone with the snarl and bite of Alex Gogic in midfield, who will hopefully build on in his impressive debut last weekend. One interesting aspect is how Jack Ross will manage the squad with the opportunity for five substitutes. I can’t help but think this is an advantage for us as our squad depth is stronger than most other clubs in the league. Livingston didn’t show up in the first half last weekend and hopefully the same thing happens tomorrow and we can put them to bed early on. We can take great heart from the defence last weekend and I’m keen to see us build on that. Ryan Porteous up against Lyndon Dykes has the potential for fireworks. Prediction: Livingston 0-2 Hibs

Freddie White, Hibs fan

A good start to the match from Hibs last weekend made sure we banked all three points and had Hibs at the dizzy heights of top place, if only for 24 hours. Yes, it was only game one but always good to see your team at the top. This week I think Hibs will face a slightly tougher opposition. Livingston is a difficult place to go and I’m not a fan of the plastic pitch either. Add in Hibs legend Marvin Bartley, who’ll be right up for this one, and there will be a little bit more spice to the game so it should set up for a good battle. Hibs will need to watch Lyndon Dykes and be very solid at the back. Alan Forrest and Craig Sibbald will cause problems as well in the middle. But if we stay strong and use Martin Boyle and Scott Allan well, I think we’ll just nick it. Prediction: Livingston 0-1 Hibs

Alan Turnbull, Hibs fan

After a narrow home win last week against a very good Killie team, Hibs travel to Livi looking to make it two wins on the bounce. Hibs have had a fairly tough time on the plastic pitch in West Lothian since both teams returned to the top flight. Livi are coming off a defeat to St Mirren and will be hoping to get back to winning ways against Hibs.

Although Boyle played a star role with 2 goals playing in a more advanced position, I’d like to see him play on the right with hopefully Doidge being able to partner Nisbet as a two up front. The one thing that was evident from the Killie game was how fluid our system was with us changing formations several times throughout the match. One thing I am looking forward to is the match-up between Marvin Bartley and Alex Gogic. Prediction: Livingston 1-2 Hibs

Steven Nicholson, Hibs fan

Thi is the first time we head to play a team that uses an artificial surface this season. One of the worst performances for me last year was Livingston away. Touch wood, I think we will see a different Hibs team and mentality. Jack Ross has plugged a few holes and Alex Gogic was signed exactly for tricky away games such as this. Hibs showed great counter-attacking ability last weekend but Ross will want to see more control, discipline and possession of the ball to dictate the play over longer periods of play. Hibs don’t want to start relying on Martin Boyle to score the goals for them every week but at the same time it was another double when he played up top. It will be interesting to see if Ross sticks with Boyle up front or deploys him on the right hand side. Livingston will be looking to get their first points on the board, but I fancy Hibs to show some steel and take the points. Prediction: Narrow Hibs win

Callum Laidlaw, Hbs fan

It was great to get three points on the opening day of the season. I thought Hibs played some nice football in the first half and then defended well in the second half and we’ll need more of that resoluteness going to Almondvale. It looks like we should have the same players to choose from again as well as Christian Doidge being a bit closer to a start, which is great as Livingston has been a tough place to go in recent years. I hope we go with the same team if Doidge isn’t ready to start yet. I wouldn’t be totally surprised if Jack Ross went with the reliable Lewis Stevenson - I don’t think Josh Doig did anything to warrant being dropped, but I think Ross might go for experience in this one. The midfield battle will be an interesting one with Alex Gogic and Marvin Bartley in there, and they may just cancel each other out. Livingston will be desperate to get some points on the board after their opening day loss so I’m going for a hard-fought draw this week. Prediction: Livingston 1-1 Hibs