Celtic need to end winless run against revamped "bogey team" Livingston

The West Lothian side rarely beat Celtic but, on their home turf, they have the number of Sunday's visitors. Since the Lions were promoted for the start of season 18/19, Celtic have travelled to Almondvale four times and won on precisely zero of those occasions, drawing on three of them. That trend continuing this weekend is simply not an option for Ange Postecoglou.

Livi have endured a tough start to the season and currently sit bottom of the Premiership although, much like last weekend's opponents, Ross County, they've endured a tough start to the season facing Rangers on the opening day, Aberdeen the week after that and then Hibs on matchday four. All three ended in defeat, as did Motherwell at home. Their solitary point was produced at Dens Park last week.

That run would be a difficult task for the same Livi squad that overachieved last season by finishing in the top six and reaching the League Cup final, let alone the one currently trying to gel together after 17 departures and 14 new arrivals at the club.

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The absence of centre-half John Guthrie, who's gone to Northampton Town, has affected the team while Jay Emanuel-Thomas' move to Aberdeen has affected the way the team operate, as explained by Calum Brown of the Talk Livi podcast.

"We're not defending our box well enough," says Calum. "In the defeat to Aberdeen, their first goal was schoolboy defending after the ball was crossed in from the left. It's a new pairing with Ayo Obilaye, who's just signed from Queen of the South, playing with Jack Fitzwater, and they've not quite settled yet.

"We signed Tom Parkes from Exeter to replace Guthrie but he's not played a league game yet through injury, maybe he'll sort things out when he comes back. Guthrie is a massive miss though, in both boxes.

"With JET gone now and Bruce Anderson coming in, we're trying to play more football on the ground. Jason Holt in midfield's had a good start to the season and is dropping deep to get the ball and then try to break the lines by driving forward and playing Alan Forrest or Odin Bailey in the wide areas."

Bruce Anderson is capable of linking the play

Although Livi are trying something new after replacing a battering ram with a grenade, it doesn't mean they're one-trick ponies at the completely opposite end of the spectrum to what was sometimes seen last season.

Bruce Anderson scored twice in 14 games while on loan at Hamilton Accies from Aberdeen last season, and Livi clearly trust him with the three year contract he's signed. His brightest spell came in the Championship during another loan spell in which he scored 5 times in 14 outings but he's now Livi's main man in the attacking positon.

Calum added: "We've not started the season too well but it's because of this new style and the new players all being introduced at once. We're trying to get the ball out wide now rather than hit the front-man, although Anderson isn't bad at holding up the ball. I'm excited to see how it pans out but we've got a few other options too. Nicky Devlin gets forward from right-back and we've seen Obilaye and Fitzwater try to hit him on the diagonal if it's on. He's the target for longer balls now if that's the change Martindale makes, because we don't really have the focal point anymore in attack with Dykes and then JET leaving.

Devlin is still spending the majority of his time on the ball in the opposition half

"We're easier on the eye now but I hope we're not just passing the balls for passing's sake."

Whatever Livi are trying to do, it's not bearing fruit just yet albeit in mitigating circumstances. Their xG per 90 for the season so far reads 0.53, while at the other end it's nearly three times that at 1.42. Ultimately, their not creating many chances, and their allowing opponents to do exactly that.

Two goals conceded, against Rangers and Motherwell, have come from the second phases of set-piece crosses and Livi failing to react quickly enough, while Aberdeen's equaliser at the Tony Macaroni came from a failed clearance, once more after a pacey delivery from the left.

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While their new attempted possession style of play might produce the goods over the season, it isn't yet. Livi are averaging less possession so far this season than they did last campaign although it must be recognised they've played three of the strongest teams in the league.

This set-up is more likely to be seen against the likes of Dundee, St Mirren and Ross County and those looking to avoid the play-off spot, rather than against Celtic and the likes so while it may be a brave new Livi seen on the highlight shows throughout the season, it's probably more likely to be same old Livi on Sunday because going toe-to-toe with Ange Postecoglou's Celtic team is asking for trouble from the likes of Abada and Jota, who can spot a yard of space with eyes on the back of their heads.

If they do revert to more familiar ways though, defending their box more efficiently is a must to stop a free-flowing Celtic side.