League Preview: Waterford United -v- Galway FC

WATERFORD UNITED

With some points already on the board for Waterford United, they'll be relatively content with how the season has begun for them.

An opening day scoreless draw against Finn Harps has allowed manager Tommy Griffin some room for manoeuvre as they welcome one of the league's title favourites.

A rather disastrous string of pre-season results saw the Blues on the wrong end of a few fairly one-sided contests as they suffered heavy defeats against Cork City, Drogheda and Shamrock Rovers.

And with self-belief no doubt quite low after such a confidence-sapping off-season, it's bound to take a great deal of resilience for the home side to continue to make strides towards recovery with every passing match day.

Nonetheless, it looks as though they're on their way to healing some of those wounds as their recent 2-1 EA Sports Cup win over Avondale United underlined.

And while it may not have been the most convincing of victories, it might just serve to steady the ship to an extent.

That said, Griffin knows how up against it his side are and is wary of how dangerous and spirited Galway will be and will expect a challenging, tricky evening.

Speaking to Waterford's official club website prior to the game, the Blues boss had this to say: “Galway will be one of the better teams in the league, they had a great battle with Longford town last weekend to start the season.”

He continued: “They’re a good footballing side, they’ve pulled in the best that they have from Mervue, the best from Salthill and then they’ve brought in some from outside too so it’ll be very difficult. But that’s why we’re playing football and we’re going to look forward to it.”

GALWAY FC

A disappointing loss against Longford for their opening league tie of the season under the watchful eye of President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins was certainly not the ideal start the Tribesmen had in mind.

With such optimism and eager expectation having preceded the 1-0 loss at Eamonn Deacy Park, it's fair to say the result will have knocked the wind out of Tommy Dunne's side in the immediate aftermath.

However, they took little time in showing a great degree of resolve as they bounced back from that defeat to claim the Mayo League's scalp in the EA Sports Cup with a decent 2-0 win. 

Now, with a real opportunity for them to grab some points against a side they'll feel they can overcome, it's likely we'll see Galway come into their own.

The Longford game saw a weakened home side as several key players were unavailable , whereas now quite a number of squad members are available for selection once again with Derek O' Brien, Stephen Walsh and Ryan Manning all making a welcome return from suspension.

The availability of such players combined with their recent cup victory will likely give Galway a huge psychological boost when they travel to the Regional Sports Centre on Friday night.

And despite their tag as favourites to win the match, Dunne's pre-game words shows he still has plenty of respect for Waterford United: “"Waterford at the RSC whether it be Premier Division or First Division is always a tough place to go. They have got quite a physical side this year, I expect them to be there or thereabouts come the end of the season."

And addressing the dilemma he faces over selecting his starting XI, Dunne had this to say: "You want selection headaches, if you don't have that then you have become complacent as a group, guys can think they're a shoe in to start. There is good competition here. The three guys coming back from suspension helped, we have a lot to choose from a selection side of things."

Referee: Anthony Buttimer

MATCH STATS

Friday's clash will be Galway FC's first competitive away fixture in their history having played both of their matches to date at home.

Back in 2008, before financial woes hit, Galway United beat Waterford by a single goal in the FAI Ford Cup fourth round.

To date this season, Wexford Youths are the only other First Division side apart from Galway who have yet to get points on the board.

BETTING

Waterford 11/10; Draw 11/5; Galway 9/4

PREDICTION

Home advantage should prove a factor when the Blues entertain Galway, but the visitors weren't among many people's favourites to gain promotion to the top tier for nothing and they will be keen to get some points for their efforts. The league's new boys should get the win away from home they desire, especially with the bright, goal-scoring Stephen Walsh back in the mix alongside the talents of exciting American Jake Keegan. A 2-1 win for Dunne's men.

Waterford United:

Inured: None
Doubtful: Shaun Corcoran (very doubtful), Shane Murray
Suspended: None

Galway FC:

Injured: Alan Murphy (ankle)
Doubtful: Ross Kenny (hip), Martin Conneely (hip), Sean Gavin (ankle) and Gary Shanahan (dead leg)
Suspended: None