League Preview: Athlone Town -v- Cabinteely

Athlone Town welcome Cabinteely to Lissywollen this Friday with the away side hoping a win can see them catch up with their opponents in the table. Kick-off is 7.45pm

ATHLONE TOWN

Despite recent good results, Athlone are still sixth in the league table. They currently sit one point behind Cobh Ramblers, who have played a game more, and are eight points off the play-offs. A surprise win over promotion hopefuls Wexford Youths two weeks ago was followed up with a draw away to Finn Harps last time out.

A red card for Josh Mailey saw Harps down to ten just over a half an hour into the game but Athlone did well to come away with a point from the club at the top of the table. They have become a bogey team for Harps this season as they beat them at home in June thanks to Marco Chindea’s second half finish.

For the match against Cabinteely, Athlone will be without Marco Chindea as he misses out through injury. Daniel Purdy also sits out the match through suspension while defenders Robbie Gaul, Brian Shortall, Conor Dunne and Sean Dunne are all rated as doubtful for the game.

CABINTEELY

Cabinteely will be hoping a win against Athlone can see them attempt to chase down their opponents in the league table. Cabo are on thirteen points in seventh place, two points ahead of Waterford United but twelve points behind their opposition. However, if they want to catch Athlone, they’ll have to put a stop to a six game winless run.

The run was continued last week when UCD visited Stradbrook. Cabinteely actually took the lead in the game through relatively new signing Sodiq Oguntola but goals from Robbie Benson, Jamie Doyle and Tomás Boyle saw the Students leave with all three points. The good news though is that Oguntola has now become the top goalscorer with four goals for the season.

In terms of team news, Cabinteely will be without wide player Jamie McGlynn who misses out through injury while Shane O’Neill and Conor Foley are both doubtful.

Referee: Marc Lynch

MATCH STATS

Cabinteely have held the upper hand between the sides this season, achieving a 2-2 draw with Athlone in April before beating them 2-0 in June thanks to goals from Oguntola and Shane O’Neill.

Cabinteely have only picked up one point away from home this season with that draw coming in their 2-2 result with Athlone Town, Philly Gorman scoring both goals for Athlone with Ger Pender and Conor Foley netting for Cabo.

BETTING

Athlone Town 4/9; Draw 11/4; Cabinteely 6/1.

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 1-1 Cabinteely

Athlone Town

Injured: Marco Chindea.

Doubtful: Connor Dunne, Sean Dunne, Brian Shortall, Robbie Gaul.

Suspended: Daniel Purdy.

Cabinteely

Injured: Jamie McGlynn.

Doubtful: Daniel Foley.

Suspended: None.