League Preview: Cork City -v- Limerick FC

CORK CITY

Derby day for Cork City FC as the Rebel Army take on Limerick at Turners Cross (Kick off at 8:00, live on EIR Sport 1) with the Rebel Army hoping to keep the momentum going and make it five wins on the bounce.

Cork City’s dream season has not been weltered or woken with Caulfield’s high-flying rebels on the back of a 3-0 over Dundalk before the break which extended the Leesider’s lead to 18 points at the top.

Speaking ahead of Derby day at Turners Cross; Cork City FC boss John Caulfield was conservative in his approach and not looking to underestimate his opponent, "Limerick have some very good players and they have a very good team. We know on Friday night that Limerick will come down with the belief that they are going to beat us and we have to be on our guard.”

Having beaten Limerick twice this season; Caulfield was quick to highlight the need for constancy in his side, "We have to make sure that we can give a performance like the one we put in against Dundalk, and if we can play at that level and intensity, then I will be very happy. If we don’t, or we switch off, then it will be a tricky match for us. It is crucial that we keep the momentum going and that we are prepared for Friday night.”

Cork City will be testing the fitness of winger Steven Beattie while on loan defender Ryan Delaney will be forced to sit this one out following a knock in Monday's Munster Senior Cup win. 

LIMERICK FC

Making the short trip down south; Limerick will be hoping to build upon an impressive 5-3 rout of Bray Wanderers, in a win which has reignited dreams of European football on Shannonside. A win this evening would see Neil McDonald’s side potentially move up into sixth; as Limerick aim to qualify for Europe for the first time since 1982. 

Limerick manager McDonald beamed ahead of the Derby day on Leeside; using Cork City's rampaging start as key motivation, "We’re certainly looking forward to it. It’s really good to go and play the elect Champions, undefeated this season. It’s going to be a very, very difficult game for us to play away from home. But we’re not going in with a defeatist attitude. We’re going to try to upset, try to create and try to win the game.”

Before finishing up, McDonald placed the emphasis that the "pressure was all on Cork" in the build up with the Rebel Army hoping to make it 18 league games unbeaten Friday night. 

Referee: Rob Rogers 

MATCH STATS

This will be the second meeting between the sides of the season following City's 3-0 win in the market Fields last March, and another 3-0 whitewash in the EA Sports Cup on Easter Monday.

City hold the better record with 15 wins against Limerick's 6 while both sides have played out 3 draws.   

Cork City come in 17 league games unbeaten with 49 points this season with a +40 goal difference on the back of scoring 20 goals in six games.

Limerick come into this one on the back of a mixed run of play which has included impressive results such as 5-3 against Bray Wanderers and 2-1 against Bohemians, but 3-2 slip ups against Finn Harps have hindered any momentum in Neil McDonald’s side who sit on 23 points with a +1 goal difference. 

BETTING

Cork City FC 1/3; Draw 4/1; Limerick 8/1.

PREDICTION

Cork City FC 2-0 Limerick.

Cork City FC:

Injuries: Ryan Delaney, Steven Beattie.

Doubtful: None. 

Suspended: None. 

Limerick FC:

Injuries: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.