Setanta Cup Preview - Coleraine -v- Dundalk

COLERAINE

Coleraine boss Oran Kearney believes that his side can’t afford to sit back and play for a draw against Dundalk at the Showgrounds tonight: "I fully feel that we have to score on the night to go through. I’m not sure with their quality and everything else, we can’t be coming to hold on to what we’ve got. I think we’ve got to be on the front foot and I think we’re at our best that way so we have to go with that mentality." 

Kearney’s side are in the driving seat following a 3-2 victory at Oriel Park in the first leg and will fancy their chances of booking a place in the Setanta Cup semi-final but the Coleraine manager is expecting a different kind of test this time round: “The pitch down there was a very slick 3G surface and our pitch will be a far cry from that. So, it makes for a different game for both us and Dundalk, so we have to set ourselves out to ensure we can match the conditions.”

The Bannsiders are missing full-back Ryan McIlmoyle, while David Ogilby returns following his suspension.

DUNDALK

Dundalk travel to the Showgrounds in Coleraine needing to win by at least two goals or win by scoring more than three goals in order to secure a place in the Setanta Cup semi-final.

 The Lilywhites trail 3-2 from the first leg and Stephen Kenny knows his side will have to tighten up at the back having conceded four against Drogheda on Friday night last.

“We know we have to go there and win by 2 goals. It’s going to be a tough game but we know we have to defend better. We can’t defend the way we did on Friday. We kind of started this way last year. We were leaking goals from the off but we sorted that out and shored things up. We need to do that straight away and have to sort things at the back. We’re looking forward to the game and we know what we have to do.”

Kenny will be without the services of injured winger Keith Ward, while Richie Towell and Brian Gartland are both carrying knocks and may not feature.

MATCH STATS

Dundalk have never lost three consecutive matches in the Setanta Cup.

The Lilwyhites have never lost a two legged tie in the Setanta Cup.

This will be Dundalk’s 19^th competitive trip north of the border and their record reads P18 W7 D3 L8.

BETTING

Coleriane 11/4  Draw 11/4  Dundalk 5/6

PREDICTION

 Dundalk will be keen to atone for their catastrophic performance in Drogheda but I can’t see them lifting their performance sufficiently to overcome a strong Coleraine side: 1-1 draw.

Coleraine Injury News: Ryan McIlmoyle.

Coleraine Suspension News: None.

Dundalk Injury News: Keith Ward (knee), Richie Towell & Brian Garltand (both doubtful)

Dundalk Suspension News: None.