League Preview: Dundalk -v- Galway United

DUNDALK FC

Dundalk will be looking to get back to winning ways with this match which was sandwiched between two rather tricky away trips on the Lilywhite's calendar. Dundalk return from Shamrock Rovers away on Friday night and then travel to Cork next Friday night.

Their outing in Tallaght was one of frustration as they ceded a two goal lead to Rovers in a hectic ten minute spell which saw their 'keeper sent off, a penalty awarded and a second goal conceded. At that juncture in the game, the travelling fans were certainly hoping that they could hold out for a draw. On paper, a draw in Tallaght doesn't look too bad, it still keeps the Lilywhites perched on top of the SSE Airtricity Premier League with four points separating them from Shamrock Rovers, albeit with Cork moving within two points of them.

Gary Rogers' dismissal means he is unavailable for the match. Gabriel Sava will get his first league start of the campaign in nets. Jake Kelly returns from a muscle injury which means that Dundalk have no other selection issues.

The Town team will have learned from their past two seasons as title challengers, that you can only think one game at a time and will only have eyes for Oriel Park on Monday. Grievances in Tallaght forgotten, a showdown in Turner’s Cross not yet on the radar.

Speaking after Friday's game, Dundalk Manager Stephen Kenny was under no illusion that this fixture could be treated as an easy fixture but wanted to see his side continue with their ruthless form:

"We know we'll get a tough game. Galway have signed well this season and they won tonight. We've won our four games and we're in terrific form overall. We haven't dropped points at home yet and we don't intend to drop any."

The Lilywhite's new number ten, Ronan Finn,  was satisfied with how the team performed last time out and saw the Galway match as a chance to put things right and get three points on the board, if they approach it the right way.

“I thought we defended really well after going down to ten men. At 2-0 you’d think that we would go on and win the game but it changed and then ten minutes later it’s 2-2. Playing the majority of the second half though down a man looking at it maybe a draw isn’t a bad result.

“Galway are going to come to Oriel looking to win. They’re a good side and we have to respect them. They could come to us hard to break down but we have to look at that and be professional. We have to get going again, it’s going to be a tough game and we want to get back to winning ways.”

GALWAY UNITED

Galway prepared for their duel with Dundalk in the best possible fashion, by winning their last game against west-coast rivals Limerick FC. They now enter a period of games which sees them play three of their next four games away from home.

Galway manager, Tommy Dunne, knows that this will be a tricky assignment.

"Going to Dundalk, it's the home of the champions and we know it's going to be a big challenge for our players.

"We played Dundalk at Oriel Park last year in the FAI Cup and found it tough. The better side on the day probably won but I think we might know a little bit more about what we are up against this season."

He told the press today that the win against Limerick has put some wind in his side's sails but that Dundalk will present a different challenge.

"You have to reassess everything after every game, each game is different. Going to Oriel Park will pose a different set of problems and questions to us, so we've got to make sure we've got our mindset right and we stick to our game-plan.

"We're going to Dundalk and most people won't expect us to get a result, we're under no pressure and we'll hold no fear going into the game. I'll be telling the players to go out and play and give everything."

By beating Limerick the Tribesmen came away two points richer than Dundalk managed when they faced the Blues earlier this month. But a hard fought victory came at a price: Dunne will be sweating on late fitness tests for Marc Ludden and David O'Leary who picked up knocks in that match.

Long-term injury victims Kilian Cantwell (knee), Jason Molloy (broken toe) and Andy O'Connell (ankle) remain unavailable for selection.

Paul Sinnott (neck) may return after responding well to treatment and Samuel Oji returns from suspension and is expected to be over a virus he was also suffering from last week.

Kick-off is at 7:45PM in Oriel Park.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

MATCH STATS

Galway have not beaten Dundalk in their last ten attempts

This will be the 74th meeting between these two sides with Dundalk haven kept clean sheets against the Tribesmen for 34 of those games, but they conceded in their last three meetings

Dundalk are currently unbeaten in 22 league matches at Oriel Park, a club Premier Division record, and they are now chasing the overall 28 which was set in the first division in 2006-07

BETTING

Dundalk 1/5; Draw 4/1 ; Galway United 16/1 .

PREDICTION

Dundalk FC 3 - 1 Galway United.

Dundalk FC

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Gary Rogers (GK).

Galway United

Injured: Kilian Cantwell (knee), Jason Molloy (toe), Andy O'Connell (ankle).

Doubtful: Marc Ludden (knock), David O'Leary (knock), Paul Sinnott (neck), Samuel Oji (virus).

Suspended: None.