Livingston entertain Ross County on Friday evening
Livingston v Ross County Premiership Playoff Free Bets & Preview
Date & Time: Thursday, 22 May 2025, 8:00pm (UK)
Venue: Tony Macaroni Arena
Lions and Last Chances: Livingston Host Ross County in Scottish Playoff Final First Leg
A Pivotal Playoff Under the West Lothian Lights
Thursday night’s alright for football, and the Tony Macaroni Arena is set to sizzle as Livingston welcome Ross County for the first leg of the Scottish Premiership playoff final. With top-flight survival and promotion glory both on the line, it promises to be a high-stakes affair — with a generous dollop of drama (and probably lasagne) served up on the side.
After dispatching Partick Thistle in style during the semi-finals, Livingston are gunning for an instant return to the Scottish Premiership following last season’s basement finish. The visitors, meanwhile, are clinging to their place in the top tier by the skin of their collective teeth, having stumbled into the playoffs once again after another disappointing campaign.
And if that wasn’t enough to get pulses racing, punters can also spice things up with Parimatch’s tempting new customer offer: Bet £5 and get £30 in free bets. It’s almost as good as three points — almost.
Livingston Looking to Roar Back into the Premiership
David Martindale’s side might have found themselves dumped out of the Premiership last season, but they’ve wasted no time plotting a course back to the promised land. The Lions finished dead last in 2023-24, racking up just 25 points from 38 games — a tally that would have made even a struggling pub team wince.
Still, that bitter disappointment seems to have ignited a fire under the West Lothian outfit. This term, they’ve been a model of consistency in the Scottish Championship, never dropping lower than third spot. With 20 wins, 10 draws and just six defeats, Livingston wrapped up second place on 70 points, just three shy of champions Falkirk.
Their playoff journey so far has been impressively routine. Partick Thistle, valiant though they were, were swept aside over two legs with Livingston cruising to a 4-0 aggregate win. The attacking trio of Cristian Montano, Robbie Muirhead and Lewis Smith ran riot, while the defence barely broke a sweat.
Martindale now heads into Thursday’s tie with a near full-strength squad and the added bonus of a home crowd. With only two home defeats in the league all season and just one loss in their last ten meetings with Ross County on home turf, the Tony Macaroni Arena could once again prove to be a fortress — albeit one built on a foundation of pasta.
Ross County: Third Time’s the Charm?
As for Ross County, they’re no strangers to this playoff pantomime. In fact, they’ve made something of a habit of it. This will be their third consecutive season battling through the playoff final, having triumphed in both of their previous two attempts.
In 2022-23, they edged out Partick Thistle on penalties following a thrilling 3-3 aggregate draw. Last season, they swatted aside Raith Rovers 6-1 on aggregate, giving fans in Dingwall some respite. But while playoff success has become a bit of a party trick, it’s also indicative of the Staggies’ repeated failure to get their house in order during the regular campaign.
Don Cowie’s side managed just nine wins from 38 matches this term, with 10 draws and a worrying 19 defeats, limping to a total of 37 points — enough to earn them 11th place. Things looked safe with four games to play, but a catastrophic collapse saw them lose four on the bounce. Post-split form didn’t help either, with three more defeats and a pair of draws confirming their playoff fate.
They now arrive in West Lothian in dire form, winless in their last nine outings — a sequence featuring seven losses. Their recent record against Livingston isn’t much better either, with just two wins in their last eight meetings, alongside four defeats and a couple of stalemates.
Still, the playoffs seem to bring out the best in Ross County. And if nothing else, they’ll be leaning heavily on that recent experience — and perhaps a lucky pair of socks or two.
Team News: Lions Roaring, Staggies Limping
Livingston’s preparations have gone about as smoothly as one could hope. The squad is largely fit and firing, with no major injury worries heading into the first leg. Having swept aside Partick Thistle without breaking stride, Martindale is unlikely to tinker too much with his starting XI.
Expect Cristian Montano to line up alongside Muirhead and Smith in a lively front three. Jackson Prior should retain his spot between the sticks, with a back line likely comprising the likes of Mikey Devlin, Ayo Obileye and Jamie Brandon. Scott Pittman, the club’s eternal engine room presence, is poised to return to midfield alongside Andrew Shinnie and Stephen Kelly, while Steven Bradley may offer an extra spark from wide areas if required.
Ross County, by contrast, are battling a growing injury list. Key figures including Aidan Denholm, Noah Chilvers, Ross Laidlaw, Ryan Leak and Scott Allardice are all expected to miss the trip. The absentees have only added to the gloom in Dingwall.
Up front, however, there is one bright spot. Ronan Hale has netted four goals in his last six appearances and should spearhead the attack alongside Simon Murray or Jordan White. Behind them, the likes of Nohan Kenneh and Connor Randall will aim to keep things ticking in midfield, while Loick Ayina and Ryan Leak (if fit) will look to shore up a wobbly defence.
Prediction: Home Comforts for the Lions
Given Ross County’s patchy form, depleted squad and travel sickness, it’s hard to look beyond a home win on Thursday evening. Livingston have been formidable at the Tony Macaroni this season and hold a solid historical advantage in this fixture.
Ross County, for all their playoff pedigree, are arriving low on confidence and without a win in nine. While they may rally in the return leg, this first meeting looks likely to swing the way of the hosts.
Prediction: Livingston 1-0 Ross County
One Last Thing: Free Bets & Football
For those fancying a punt on the playoff drama, Parimatch are offering a cracking Bet £5 Get £30 in free bets deal for new customers — not a bad way to warm up for this tense two-legged affair. Whether you’re backing Livingston to roar or Ross County to dig in for dear life, there’s never been a better time to get involved.
And don’t forget, plenty of other leading bookmakers are dishing out tasty free bet bonuses too — because what’s a playoff final without a little flutter?
Final Whistle
Thursday night’s showdown at the Tony Macaroni is more than just a match — it’s a collision of hope, history and last-gasp drama. Livingston want back in. Ross County want to stay put. Only one can prevail.
Bring on the chaos.
From a Betting Perspective
As the sun dips behind the West Lothian skyline and the first leg of the Scottish Premiership playoff final gets underway, all eyes will be on Livingston and Ross County – and, perhaps, on the betting slips too. With everything to play for and plenty of twists undoubtedly to come, the markets are sizzling almost as much as the pre-match lasagnes at the Tony Macaroni Arena.
If you’re considering a flutter, don’t forget that all of our featured UK betting sites are throwing new players some enticing free bets which may be used on this match. Not a bad way to raise the stakes while your mates are still debating who “Joe Coyle” actually plays for.
The Outright Odds: Lions Fancy a Roar
The bookies are ever so slightly leaning towards the hosts, with Livingston priced up at 11/10 to take the win on the night. It’s hardly a landslide, but it does show a certain confidence in David Martindale’s troops – especially given their formidable form at the Tony Mac.
If you think this might end all square, the draw is a tempting 12/5, while those who reckon the Staggies might just pull off a surprise in West Lothian can grab Ross County at a plucky 14/5.
To Qualify: Neck-and-Neck Over Two Legs
The real drama will unfold over 180 minutes (and possibly more), and when it comes to who’ll be booking their place in next season’s Premiership, the odds are tight. Livingston are 10/11 to complete their bounce back, but Ross County are no strangers to this playoff malarkey – and the evens shout suggests this one could go right to the wire, perhaps even to penalties… again.
First Goalscorer Markets: Muirhead Leading the Charge
In the race to get the scoreboard moving, Robbie Muirhead leads the way at 11/2. He’s a man in form and looks a decent shout to hit the net first in front of a lively home crowd.
Ronan Hale, one of Ross County’s few bright sparks of late, follows at 15/2, with Stevie May and Jordan White both hovering around the 8/1 mark. The dependable Kieran Phillips offers value at 9/1, while anyone fancying an early night and a 0-0 can get 9/1 on there being no goalscorer at all.
Further down the list, names like Lewis Smith and Tete Yengi sit around 10/1, while Joe Coyle, Andrew Shinnie, and Alex Samuel are clustered together at 11/1. At 12/1, you’ll find Jack Grieves, Scott Pittman and Cristian Montano lurking, ready to pounce if things go scrappy.
For those who enjoy longer shots with a pinch of chaos, Joshua Nisbet, George Robesten, Stephen Kelly, Reece McAlearand Samson Lawal are all pitched at 14/1. Could be worth a dabble – perhaps with one of those Parimatch free bets.
Anytime Goalscorer: For Those Who Prefer a Safety Net
If you prefer not to hang your hopes on who scores first, the anytime scorer market is your friend. Muirhead again leads the line at 15/8, followed by Hale at 13/5 and White at 3/1. Stevie May, meanwhile, sits at 100/30 – just short of the magic “three to one” but still decent value.
For longer punts, you’ll find Kieran Phillips at 18/5, Tete Yengi and Lewis Smith both at 4/1, with a cluster of others – Joe Coyle, Scott Pittman, Alex Samuel, Andrew Shinnie, and Jack Grieves – all lounging around the 9/2 mark like midfielders waiting for a through ball.
Montano and Kelly are sitting comfortably at 5/1, while Lawal, Nisbet, Robesten, and McAlear can all be backed at 6/1. If you’re truly feeling brave (or maybe just superstitious), George Harmon and Matthew Clarke are both out at 9/1 and 10/1, respectively.
Half-time/Full-time Shenanigans
If you enjoy threading a narrative into your bets, the half-time/full-time market offers a few tasty options. A Livingston lead at both breaks is priced at 13/5, while a draw either way at half-time makes for intriguing reading – Draw/Drawcomes in at 4/1, and Draw/Livingston is 17/4.
Braver souls might opt for the more outlandish combos: Ross County/Livingston is available at a bonkers 30/1, while Livingston/Ross County – perhaps after a halftime lasagne-induced nap – is priced at a faintly ludicrous 45/1.
Correct Score Markets: Calling the Exact Chaos
Here’s where things get very specific – and potentially very profitable. If you fancy Livingston to win by the slimmest of margins, a 1-0 result is your shortest pick at 7/1, followed by a 2-1 at 17/2 and a clean 2-0 at 10/1. From there, things escalate quickly: 3-1 sits at 18/1, and it all gets a bit silly when you hit 4-1 (45/1) and 5-0 (150/1).
Fancy a draw? 1-1 is the favourite scoreline at 6/1, with the goalless borefest sitting at 10/1. 2-2 can be backed at 14/1, though anything more chaotic – say 4-4 – might best be left for fiction writers (or the brave, at 400/1).
Ross County fans can take some solace in their own scoreline specials: 1-0 is 10/1, with 2-1 at 12/1, and 2-0 priced at 18/1. Anything involving three or more goals for the Staggies is certainly ambitious, but if you’re that sort of optimist, there’s 50/1 on a 3-0 away win. Courageous.
Goals, Glorious Goals – Or Not
Punters pondering goal totals have a spread of options. The under markets are heavily fancied – Under 3.5 goals is just 3/10, which tells you everything you need to know about expectations here. For exact figures, two goals in total seems the likeliest outcome at 5/2, with one goal at 7/2, and a 0-goal snoozefest at 9/1.
If you expect a bit more entertainment, Over 2.5 goals is a near-even 11/10, while going big with four or more might net you 24/5 or longer, depending on how many you’re dreaming of.
And if you’re truly embracing the madness, the “7 or more goals” line is sitting at a cheeky 33/1. If that comes in, the match report might need to be written with crayons.
Winning Margin: By How Much Will Someone Stumble Over the Line?
Livingston to edge it by one goal comes in at 11/4, while a more convincing two-goal margin is 5/1. If you think the Lions might really open up, three-goal and four-or-more victories are priced at 11/1 and 25/1, respectively.
On the flip side, a Ross County win by a single goal is 9/2, while a two-goal win is 11/1, and three or more would net you up to 100/1. Not quite lottery odds, but certainly a big swing.
And let’s not forget the ever-tempting Score Draw option at 7/2, or the good old 0-0 bore draw, yours for a tidy 9/1.
Final Thoughts
With so much on the line and the form book already set ablaze, there’s every reason to expect drama on Thursday night. Whether you’re backing the Lions to roar or the Staggies to stage another playoff escape act, there’s something in the market for everyone – especially with some enticing bookmaker free bets making it all that bit more inviting.
Just remember, whether you win or lose, it’s the football that counts… unless, of course, your 400/1 scoreline actually lands. In which case, we expect drinks on you.
Outright Winner (90 mins)
| Result | Odds |
| Livingston | 11/10 |
| Draw | 12/5 |
| Ross County | 14/5 |
To Qualify (Over Two Legs)
| Team | Odds |
| Livingston | 10/11 |
| Ross County | Evens |
First Goalscorer
| Player | Odds |
| Robbie Muirhead | 11/2 |
| Ronan Hale | 15/2 |
| Stevie May | 8/1 |
| Jordan White | 8/1 |
| Kieran Phillips | 9/1 |
| No Goalscorer | 9/1 |
| Lewis Smith | 10/1 |
| Tete Yengi | 10/1 |
| Joe Coyle | 11/1 |
| Andrew Shinnie | 11/1 |
| Alex Samuel | 11/1 |
| Jack Grieves | 12/1 |
| Scott Pittman | 12/1 |
| Cristian Montano | 12/1 |
| Joshua Nisbet | 14/1 |
| George Robesten | 14/1 |
| Stephen Kelly | 14/1 |
| Reece McAlear | 14/1 |
| Samson Lawal | 14/1 |
Anytime Goalscorer
| Player | Odds |
| Robbie Muirhead | 15/8 |
| Ronan Hale | 13/5 |
| Jordan White | 3/1 |
| Stevie May | 100/30 |
| Kieran Phillips | 18/5 |
| Tete Yengi | 4/1 |
| Lewis Smith | 4/1 |
| Joe Coyle | 9/2 |
| Scott Pittman | 9/2 |
| Alex Samuel | 9/2 |
| Andrew Shinnie | 9/2 |
| Jack Grieves | 9/2 |
| Cristian Montano | 5/1 |
| Stephen Kelly | 5/1 |
| Samson Lawal | 11/2 |
| Joshua Nisbet | 6/1 |
| George Robesten | 6/1 |
| Reece McAlear | 6/1 |
| George Harmon | 9/1 |
| Matthew Clarke | 10/1 |
Half-Time / Full-Time
| Outcome | Odds |
| Livingston / Livingston | 13/5 |
| Draw / Draw | 4/1 |
| Draw / Livingston | 17/4 |
| Ross County / Ross County | 11/2 |
| Draw / Ross County | 15/2 |
| Livingston / Draw | 14/1 |
| Ross County / Draw | 15/1 |
| Ross County / Livingston | 30/1 |
| Livingston / Ross County | 45/1 |
Correct Score – Livingston Win
| Score | Odds |
| 1-0 | 7/1 |
| 2-1 | 17/2 |
| 2-0 | 10/1 |
| 3-1 | 18/1 |
| 3-0 | 20/1 |
| 3-2 | 33/1 |
| 4-1 | 45/1 |
| 4-0 | 55/1 |
| 4-2 | 80/1 |
| 5-1 | 150/1 |
| 5-0 | 150/1 |
Correct Score – Draw
| Score | Odds |
| 1-1 | 6/1 |
| 0-0 | 10/1 |
| 2-2 | 14/1 |
| 3-3 | 70/1 |
| 4-4 | 400/1 |
Correct Score – Ross County Win
| Score | Odds |
| 1-0 | 10/1 |
| 2-1 | 12/1 |
| 2-0 | 18/1 |
| 3-1 | 33/1 |
| 3-2 | 45/1 |
| 3-0 | 50/1 |
| 4-1 | 110/1 |
| 4-0 | 150/1 |
| 4-2 | 150/1 |
Total Goals – Over/Under
| Total Goals | Odds |
| Under 3.5 | 3/10 |
| Under 3 | 3/8 |
| Under 2.5 | 4/5 |
| Under 2 | 11/8 |
| Under 1.5 | 5/2 |
| Under 1 | 13/2 |
| Under 0.5 | 10/1 |
| Over 2 | 11/21 |
| Over 2.5 | 11/10 |
| Over 3 | 16/9 |
| Over 3.5 | 14/5 |
| Over 4 | 24/5 |
| Over 4.5 | 7/1 |
| Over 5 | 11/1 |
| Over 5.5 | 18/1 |
| Over 6.5 | 40/1 |
| Over 7.5 | 66/1 |
| Over 8.5 | 66/1 |
Total Goals – Exact
| Exact Total Goals | Odds |
| 2 | 5/2 |
| 3 | 10/3 |
| 1 | 7/2 |
| 4 | 5/1 |
| 0 | 9/1 |
| 5 | 11/1 |
| 6 | 22/1 |
| 7 or more | 33/1 |
Winning Margin
| Outcome | Odds |
| Livingston by 1 Goal | 11/4 |
| Score Draw | 7/2 |
| Ross County by 1 Goal | 9/2 |
| Livingston by 2 Goals | 5/1 |
| 0-0 Draw | 9/1 |
| Ross County by 2 Goals | 11/1 |
| Livingston by 3 Goals | 11/1 |
| Livingston by 4+ Goals | 25/1 |
| Ross County by 3 Goals | 35/1 |
| Ross County by 4+ Goals | 100/1 |
