Scottish Championship: Livingston & Ayr jostle for second – watch on BBC

Livingston can keep their slim chances of winning the Championship alive at home to Ayr United, but Friday’s BBC Scotland live match is almost certainly more about who finishes second.

Lions boss David Martindale conceded the title a few weeks ago and his team are six points behind Falkirk with three games left to play.

It would take a dramatic collapse from John McGlynn’s side for Livingston to pip them at the post.

With a far superior goal difference, Falkirk can all but seal a second successive promotion with a win at home to Raith Rovers on Saturday whatever happens in West Lothian.

Being runner-up is still important since it means avoiding the first round of games in the Premiership play-offs. After a gruelling season in the second tier that lighter workload cannot be underestimated.

Ayr United have slipped five points behind Livingston and must avoid defeat to stay in the hunt for second.

The Honest Men then finish against Queen’s Park and Airdrieonians, while Livingston face Hamilton Academical and play-off chasing Partick Thistle.

Given all four of those opponents have their own burning issues, nothing can be taken for granted in this most unpredictable of divisions.

Curiously, both Livingston and Ayr United have enjoyed their away days against the other this season, with the three previous encounters all won by the visitors.

The most recent fixture in February saw Livingston grab a 2-1 win, with Robbie Muirhead scoring an injury time winner at Somerset Park. Muirhead was also on the scoresheet in the October meeting in Ayrshire, which again resulted in a 2-1 win for the Lions.

United were the team celebrating in December, thanks to George Oakley’s solitary goal.

Despite their respective good fortunes on the road, Livingston should be considered favourites given their better form.

After a patchy period in late February and March, Livingston have come back strongly to win four of their past five matches – including a 5-0 demolition of Queen’s Park to lift the SPFL Trust Trophy.

In contrast, Ayr have only managed one win in six, although they did earn a creditable 1-1 draw with Falkirk in front of the BBC Scotland cameras last Friday.