Scott Pittman is the target for a long throw-in from the hosts, but Hearts keeper Zander Clark is quickly off his line to collect.

The ball is scooting back and forth, spending a lot of time in the air. A bit scruffy so far.

Michael Stewart
Former Hearts midfielder on Sportsound

Nobody can't really talk with any definitive nature about what Oda will bring as we haven't seen him but he's an exciting signing.

When you look at the guys from Asia who've joined Celtic, they've made a huge impact. If Oda can have any kind of similar impact, he'll be a terrific addition.

A smart pass from Lawrence Shankland sends Yutaro Oda scampering forward for Hearts but Jack Fitzwater times his tackle to perfection near the edge of the penalty area.

Bruce Anderson chases after a ball over the top of the Hearts defence but his first touch inside the penalty box is not the best and he's closed down quickly.

Michael Stewart
Former Hearts midfielder on Sportsound

I know I said they'll be happy to go away with a point. I'm sure privately, that won't be what Hearts are saying amongst the players. They'll want to win and that's what makes them different from the rest.

Robbie Neilson has done an unbelievable job. The criticism of him is just lying dormant, as ridiculous as it seems. He continues to do an outstanding job but there's still a hardcore number of non-Robbie fans who have nothing to complain about at the moment. A couple of bad results and they'd pipe up again.

And away we go.

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson: "It's always a tough meeting against Livingston, no matter how both teams are doing. You have to adapt to the surface, so we have to find a way to win the game.

[On five changes] "We've been forced through injury and illness, a couple of the players have had a wee bug. One or two, because of the surface and the amount of games coming up, we felt it would be difficult for them to come here and play Wednesday and Saturday. We've got a squad for a reason and the players who have come in, I expect them to do well. They've been waiting for a chance and this is an opportunity for them."

"The team has done extremely well in the last few weeks but this is a different game with a different style of play. I have no qualms about putting them in, they're top players and we should have enough to win the game.

"At this moment we're third but we've got a long way to go, teams are picking up points around us and Livingston consistently have been there or thereabouts. Today will be a very hard game but if we perform we should have enough."

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Livingston boss David Martindale: "Historically we've stayed under the radar, no one speaks about us and that's the way I like it. We go into most games as the underdog and that's how we like it.

"Hearts' travelling support has been absolutely fantastic and that's a huge thank you from everyone at Livi and it's set the game up nicely for a really entertaining game.

"The changes today is nothing to do with last week. We've got three games in seven days and I've got a good squad who will all get game time. I think today's team suits my game plan and helps nullify Hearts.

"We worked on McKay and Snodgrass playing. With them not playing, not a lot changes from those details other than the personnel. They've got fantastic players to bring on if they need to."

Hearts will have their tails up after a second 3-0 derby win this month. The Tynecastle side have not lost since a 1-0 reverse at Ibrox in early November, that's a run of nine in all competitions (W6 D3).

Leading the way has been striker Lawrence Shankland, who banged in his 20th goal of the season at Easter Road last weekend and immediately set his sights on reaching 30.

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Once again Livingston are punching above their weight, sitting fourth in the table and unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions (W3 D2).

They are seven points behind Hearts and have made life difficult for the Edinburgh team this season, winning 1-0 on their own patch back in September, while they conceded a last-gasp equaliser at Tynecastle a month later, having missed a penalty at 1-0 up.

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Richard Foster
Former Rangers defender on BBC Sportsound

Hearts have had injury problems all season - long-term injuries, too. To have Barrie McKay, Ginnelly and Snodgrass - three of their best performing players all season - on the bench, it shows the strength in depth they now have.

I don't think I've ever seen a team come here and have it easy. Livi have good quality going forward and they're organised at the back. They'll be looking to put down a marker themselves. Where they are in the league is certainly no fluke and they can gain some ground on Hearts.

Michael Stewart
Former Hearts midfielder on Sportsound

Livingston have only had two league home games since the World Cup break and they drew both of them - against St Mirren and Motherwell. That was a bit surprising, you'd have thought they'd have picked up more points.

This is not a happy hunting ground for Hearts. It's not going to be a nice Sunday stroll. It's going to be a battle. They've got the big game during the week, and they need everyone fit and ready to go against Rangers at Tynecastle. If they were able to get out of here unscathed with a draw, I think they'd take that.

"If Netflix or Amazon were in the changing room at half-time that wouldn’t have changed my team talk, I wouldn’t have changed a single thing."

That was David Martindale's response during the week to a rather cheeky social media release of his colourful tirade at Ochilview. The air was blue but it got the job done as his men recovered from 1-0 down to comfortably avoid a cup shock.

The Livingston boss is always vocal on the touchline but there's a lot more to him than the 'hairdryer treatment' and you can be sure his players have been well briefed for this game.

They may have won last weekend's Edinburgh derby but it came at a cost with defenders James Hill and Michael Smith missing out completely. Robert Snodgrass, Barrie McKay and Josh Ginnelly drop to the bench, perhaps with one eye on the midweek meeting with Rangers.

Robbie Neilson can draft in internationals Stephen Kingsley and Nathaniel Atkinson, while Orestis Kiomoutzoglou comes into midfield and Stephen Humphrys makes his first start since October.

Japanese forward Yutaro Oda makes his first start for the club after signing from Vissel Kobe a few weeks ago.

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David Martindale only changes two, having been unbeaten in their last five in all competitions.

Stephane Omeonga and Sean Kelly come into midfield, replacing Jason Holt and Andrew Shinnie from the side that beat Stenhousemuir 3-1 in the Scottish Cup last week.

Dominican Republic international Luiyi de Lucas could make his debut, should he come off the bench. And still no Joel Nouble.

Livingston: George, Devlin, Fitzwater, Boyes, Penrice, Omeonga, Kelly, Pittman, Bradley, Kelly, Anderson.

Substitutes: Hamilton, Obileye, Shinnie, de Lucas, Longridge, Montano, Holt, Guthrie, Bahamboula.

Hearts: Clark, Rowles, Sibbick, Kingsley, Atkinson, Kio, Devlin, Cochrane, Oda, Humphrys, Shankland.

Substitutes: Stewart, Grant, Forrest, McKay, Neilson, Ginnelly, Snodgrass, Kuol.

We had four home wins from four in the Scottish Premiership yesterday, without a single goal for the visiting teams. Today, the away sides will start as favourites as leaders Celtic visit Dundee United and in-form Hearts make the short trip to Livingston.

Travelling fans may well outnumber home supporters at both games too.

The double bill starts in West Lothian, so let's get on with it.

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