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While Livingston are anchored at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table, they tend to get on the scoresheet more often than not when playing at home. In fact, the Lions have struck in 13 of their 15 top-flight fixtures in front of their own supporters this term. That can be attributed to the fact that 21 of Livingston’s 31 Scottish Premiership matches this season have seen both teams find the net, including 13 of their 15 home outings.

Notably, one of those matches came against Hearts at this venue earlier in the campaign, with Livingston falling to a 2-1 defeat on that occasion. It is also worth noting that both teams have scored in Livingston’s home meetings with Rangers (twice), and when they hosted Celtic earlier in the season.

Although a strong defensive base has been key to Hearts’ push towards the title, they have looked somewhat vulnerable at the back when playing away from home for a number of months now. The capital club have failed to keep a clean sheet in four of their last six top-flight road trips, conceding 3+ goals in two of those contests.

Given how I expect this contest to play out tactically, I’m happy to back over 9.5 corners. While Livingston are rooted to the foot of the table, they rarely get blown away by their opponents, and that stubbornness often sees them concede plenty of corners. In fact, Marvin Bartley’s side are conceding a league-high 5.97 corners per game in the Scottish top-flight this term, with their matches averaging 10.39 per game.

Hearts, as you’d expect, rank among the top teams for corners this season, averaging 5.52 per game, with their fixtures yielding 10.00 per 90. Notably, Derek McInnes’ men single-handedly cleared the over 8.5 corner line when they visited Livingston earlier in the campaign, and when they hosted the bottom club at Tynecastle, they won the corner count 7-3.

Livingston like to make use of set pieces and their long-throw weapon, so I’d expect them to contribute to the corner count here. Livi racked up five corners when hosting Hearts earlier this season, so I think there is plenty of scope for the pair to deliver over 9.5 corners between them in West Lothian this weekend.

Cameron Devlin made a welcome return from injury in Hearts’ win over Dundee last time out, and I’m keen to back the Hearts midfielder to register at least one shot against Livingston on Sunday.

The all-action Australian is best known for his tenacity in the middle of the park, but he’s more than willing to try his luck going forward. That’s reflected in his average of 0.79 shots per game in the Scottish Premiership this season. Prior to his recent spell on the sidelines, that number had been on the rise - the 27-year-old racked up five shots across his last five appearances before injury struck.

As mentioned, Devlin returned against Dundee last time out, and he delivered one shot in that match. With Livingston capable of being stubborn opponents, this could be a game where Hearts need to stay patient, which could force them into efforts from range - an area where Devlin is a natural candidate given his role patrolling the midfield.

The fact that rock-bottom Livingston are conceding an average that is north of 15 shots per game in the Scottish Premiership this season only strengthens the case for siding with this selection.

Robbie Muirhead looks well worth backing to attempt two or more shots against Hearts on Sunday afternoon. The Livingston forward has been a serial shot-hitter in the Scottish Premiership this season, averaging 2.81 efforts per game. A closer look shows that Muirhead has pulled the trigger at least twice in six of his last seven top-flight outings, which includes an away day at Celtic.

When Muirhead faced Hearts in West Lothian earlier in the campaign, he posted two shots during that contest. The 30-year-old has been on spot kick duty at times this season and, as a free kick specialist, can produce moments of magic from distance - two factors that strengthen the case for this selection.

With Livingston’s top-flight status hanging by a thread, any hope of an unlikely great escape will require them to push for the win here. That only adds weight to backing Muirhead to register a minimum of two shots on Sunday.