League Preview: Longford Town -v- Galway FC

LONGFORD TOWN

This Saturday sees Tony Cousins' Longford Town entertain Galway FC at the City Calling Stadium (kick-off is scheduled for 7.30 pm).

Far from assured of promotion with Shelbourne breathing down their necks just behind them, they do at least have the benefit a nice little cushion of three points as they head for the final straight after Wexford Youths and Shelbourne drew on Friday.

Favourites to win this weekend's tie, especially with home advantage, Longford are expecting to win this Gameweek 23 match.

Both sides have vastly contrasting form, and despite the fact that the Town drew their most recent league encounter with Finn Harps, they're likely to go all-out for the win.

With the best defensive record across either division as well as an in-form goal-scorer in the shape of David O' Sullivan on the books, they have the best foundations to pull six points clear of the chasing pack and give them a bit of extra space.

It promises to be an exciting encounter, especially with Galway out to prove themselves.

GALWAY FC

Two consecutive losses in the First Division means that Galway head into Saturday's clash with league-leaders Longford desperate for a win.

Having fallen against Shelbourne at home on a score-line of 1-0 as well as being felled 2-1 by Wexford Youths at Ferrycarrig Park, their recent form has been far from ideal and they've slipped down the table as a result.

Now, it looks as though it's going to be a fearsome battle between them and Youths to see who can nab third spot.

With 11 points between Tommy Dunne's men and Shelbourne, as well a gap of 14 points separating them from top spot, it looks as though they'll have to fight harder than ever for promotion.

And it all could have looked so differently had they been a bit more clinical in front of goal lately.

Because although they've had no problems against the division's minnows, they've not been consistent against the better sides.

Dunne was keen to send out a never-say-die message to the fans in the build-up to this weekend's game.

"Everybody realises how important it is to push on to give ourselves every chance of being there or thereabouts come the playoff games. We've got some tough games coming up with Longford Town in the League and Dundalk in the Cup.

We need to rediscover the form we showed earlier in the season, especially just before the mid-season break. Since then we haven't been at the pitch of every game, especially the home game against Longford Town.”

Referee: B Connolly

MATCH STATS

The last time these two sides met in the league, Galway were heading into the tie on the back of a nine-match unbeaten streak. This time around, it's Longford who have the superior form, as they enter the match unbeaten in 13 league games. Impressive.

Dunne's charges have yet to get the better of Longford so this season with their March 7 encounter ending in a 1-0 loss before there was a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw. The most memorable of all the matches was less than two months ago where Cousins' men whacked three goals past them to seal a big win. 

BETTING

Longford 8/15; Draw 11/4; Galway 5/1

PREDICTION

Longford will prevail 2-0.

Longford Town

Injuries: N/A

Suspensions: None

Doubtful: N/A

Galway

Injuries: Martin Conneelly (tendon), Enda Curran (unavailable), Aaron McDonagh (foot)

Suspensions: None

Doubtful: Richard Fahy & Alex Byrne