League Preview: Galway United -v- Dundalk

GALWAY UNITED FC

Galway United welcomes defending league champions and current Premier Division leaders Dundalk to Eamonn Deacy Park on Tuesday night (kick-off: 7.45pm).

Last week at The Showgrounds, the Tribesmen earned their first draw in 18 games in a hard fought 1-1 result against Connacht rivals Sligo Rovers. United should consider themselves a tad unlucky not to come away from Sligo Town with all three points.

Tommy Dunne’s side expelled large amounts of energy in the game against Rovers, and facing the league champions in your back yard with only a four day turnaround, is not the ideal way for any team to prepare.   

In team news, Jason Molloy should be fit for selection while Sam Oji looks set to miss Tuesday’s tie with a hamstring injury. Andy O’Connell is still unavailable with a long term injury.

Speaking to the club’s website, Dunne knows Dundalk are the best side in the league, but his side must not gift Tuesday’s visitor’s easy opportunities if Galway are to take something from the game.

"They're a top side, we know they're very dangerous from set-plays as well as open play, we need to be solid against them, and we don't want to give away silly soft goals.”

DUNDALK

The Lilywhites travel down to Galway on Tuesday with one eye on next week’s clash against FC BATE Borisov in the Champions League qualifier.

Dundalk’s involvement in Europe means the league champions will not play another domestic league game until the end of July and Stephen Kenny’s side will look to stretch their lead at the top of the table with a win over Galway before they make the trip to Belarus for the first leg.

At United Park last weekend, hosts Drogheda gave their Louth rivals a scare but a last minute deflected goal from Darren Meenan handed the visitors a vital 1-2 win. Those three points keeps Dundalk six points clear of Cork City at the top of the league.

The league champions have a fully fit squad to choose from with Brian Gartland, Darren Meenan and Stephen O’Donnell all back to full fitness and this will allow Kenny to utilize his squad for the next three games.

Dundalk have lost only one game this season and while it won’t be easy for the Lilywhites against Galway, Kenny’s troops should do enough to claim all three points at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Referee: Padraigh Sutton

MATCH STATS

Galway United’s last win over Dundalk was a 1-0 result in 2009

The Lilywhites have yet to taste defeat on the road this season

Galway has conceded 19 goals at home; Dundalk has scored 17 goals away from home.  

BETTING

Galway United FC 6/1; Draw 7/2; Dundalk 2/5

PREDICTION

Galway United FC 2-3 Dundalk

Galway United FC

Injured: Andy O'Connell (foot)

Doubtful: Sam Oji (hamstring)

Suspended: None

Dundalk

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None