Limerick -v- Dundalk

LIMERICK FC

Despite their very positive start, Stuart Taylor's brand of good football hasn't produced enough points to see Limerick bother the top teams in the Premier Division. In fact, Limerick currently sit just two points ahead of the bottom three.

Despite the Limerick boss claiming that the break hasn't helped his players, it has cleared up a lot of niggles to his players and he has a much bigger pool of players to choose from against Dundalk that he has had in previous weeks.

After two losses in their last two, Limerick will be eager to turn on the style for their home fans who haven't seen a League of Ireland fixture at Thomond Park in five weeks. The Shannonsiders tend to be very solid at home, despite scoring very few goals in the process.

Limerick will be without club captain Pat Purcell due to an injury he picked up against UCD. Steven McGann is the only other certain absentee. Rory Gaffney saw a specialist during the week, but no serious repercussions are expected from his knock. Stephen Bradley and Jeffrey Judge miss out through suspension.

Speaking ahead of the fixture, Taylor was full of admiration for Stephen Kenny's side. “I've learned they play right to the final whistle; that's for sure. They're a team flying high at the minute and are certainly up there with St. Patrick's Athletic in terms of form. They've caught a lot of teams off guard and they're a decent side with a decent formation that suits their players. They've to be given a lot of respect.

DUNDALK

With all three sides above them winning last night, the Lillywhites will make their first trip to Thomond Park under a certain amount of pressure, knowing that a win is required to keep up the wave of euphoria that Stephen Kenny and his side have created so far this season.

Dundalk's last league outing saw them verify themselves as title contenders when former Limerick FC player John Sullivan netted late on to see “the Town” beat St. Pat's in an entertaining encounter at Oriel Park. A derby victory and a win at the Showgrounds in the weeks preceding the Pat's game caught a lot of people's attention and Dundalk are not being taken lightly around the league any more.

The county Louth outfit do however come into this one with a hefty missing list as John Mountney and Keith Ward miss out – the latter will remain unavailable for the remainder of the season. The in-form Pat Hoban and Stephen O'Donnell will miss out through suspension while Stephen McDonnell will face a late fitness test to assess his knee trouble.

Dundalk boss Kenny echoed many managers' thoughts about Limerick when asked to assess the upcoming fixture against the Shannonsiders. “Limerick are a fine addition to the league this season. They’ve made the league stronger and it is great to have them in it. We have to go to Limerick and show that passion. It will be a tough game, our first time in Thomond, but the efforts of the players this year has been fantastic and we’re hoping to continue that effort on Saturday.”

Referee: Tom Connolly

MATCH STATS

Saturday's clash will be the first between the sides in Limerick in almost five years. Limerick won the last encounter in Jackman Park by two goals to nil.

The last Premier Division tie between the sides was way back in 1994; a game that saw Limerick win by two goals to one.

Dundalk player John Sullivan is the only player outside of the current Limerick squad to have made his debut for Limerick while playing in Thomond Park (v Sunderland).

BETTING

Limerick FC 6/4; Draw 21/10; Dundalk 13/8.

PREDICTION

Limerick FC 1-2 Dundalk