League Preview: Dundalk -v- Limerick

DUNDALK

Having made such an impressive start, it is a measure of the strength of the chasing pack that champions Dundalk are only three points clear of second-placed Cork City in the Premier Division table (albeit with a game in hand) at the midway point of the campaign.

Although the Lilywhites won their last game before the mid-season break – a 2-1 victory over a Joey N'do managed Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds – it was the week before that Dundalk properly slipped up for the first time in 2015, losing 2-1 at home to Bohemians.

However, It was the identity of the team to first take points from Stephen Kenny's men this season that raised eyebrows: Limerick, who are yet to win a league game and who currently sit at the bottom of the table. Paul O'Conor's last minute header secured the Blues a point in Jackman Park last April.

This week, Dundalk were paired with Belarusian side BATE Borisov in the second qualifying round of the Champions League, a two-legged tie which will take place in July. Though the squad did some work on “European scenarios” in Gannon Park last weekend, Kenny is certain the players' focus will return fully to domestic matters on Friday.

“Now we are fairly focused on Limerick,” Kenny told Extratime.ie after the Champions League draw on Monday. “The players have a day off today after a very busy weekend. Tomorrow we'll come in and get ready for Limerick.

“We drew with Limerick in the first phase of games down in Jackman Park, so we have to make sure we get back to winning ways [against them] and we'll respect them. But we are playing very well, our form overall is really good.”

Kenny has no injury concerns ahead of the game, just a selection headache. Paddy Barrett returns from suspension for Dundalk, while Darren Meenan and Brian Gartland are in contention having recovered from groin and hamstring problems respectively.

LIMERICK

Despite the fact Limerick picked up their third point of the season in a 1-1 draw against the champions in April, the Blues will surely be targeting their first win of the campaign in the three games that follow their trip to Oriel Park this Friday.

Martin Russell's side have back-to-back home games after this against Bray Wanderers – who currently sit six points above them in 11^th place – and Galway United, while a trip to the Brandywell to take on struggling Derry City follows the meeting with the Tribesmen.

Though Russell will maintain that, having done it once already this season, his side are capable of getting a result against Dundalk, the former UCD boss will appreciate the importance of getting results against sides who are also battling it out in the relegation zone.

Therefore, the meeting with the Lilywhites will be seen as an opportunity for his key players to get 90 minutes under their belts ahead of a big run of games.

“To go to Dundalk after the break is probably the biggest challenge any side in the country at the moment could have,” Russell told LimerickFC.ie.

“I would like to think the break has helped. There is a little freshness about it when everybody has come back after a week off. We’ve got some massive games coming up, starting with this one.

“There is everything still to play for,” added Russell. “As I said before, we have still got quite a considerable amount of playing time this season against teams just above us. With the Markets Field being open now, there are a lot of big games to look forward to.”

The Limerick manager will have to plan without key man Ian Turner who has a knee injury, while Colm Murphy is out with a hamstring problem. The club are awaiting international clearance for returning Ghanaian duo Prince Agyemang and goalkeeper Ali Abass.

Referee: Robert Rogers.

MATCH STATS

A Dundalk victory will mean Limerick have failed to win in their last three visits to Oriel Park – the last time this occurred was when both clubs were in the First Division in 2006 and 2007. You have to go back to 1988-89 for the last time this happened with both clubs in the Premier Division.

The Blues' last league victory was a 1-0 win over Sligo Rovers' at Thomand Park in October 2014.

There haven't been back-to-back draws in this fixture since 2000.

Limerick's last victory over Dundalk came in a Premier Division clash at Oriel Park in September 2013. A first-half brace by Rory Gaffney was enough to ensure a 2-1 win for the Blues, with Richie Towell netting the Lilywhites' second-half consolation from the spot.

BETTING

Dundalk 1/10; Draw 15/2; Limerick 20/1.

PREDICTION

2-0.

Dundalk

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Limerick

Injured: Ian Turner (knee), Colm Murphy (hamstring).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Awaiting international clearance: Prince Agyemang, Ali Abass.