League Preview: Waterford United -v- Wexford Youths

Waterford United host neighbouring rivals Wexford Youths in the final South East Derby of the season at the RSC on Friday night at 7.45pm.

WATERFORD UNITED

The Blues come into this clash against Wexford, whom they beat in Ferrycarrig earlier on in the season, with confidence having secured a victory in Athlone which had eluded them for so long.

Roddy Collins will be looking for a much better result than the 4-1 defeat his side suffered at the hands of the visitors the last time they visited the RSC in May and will believe that his men can bag the three points and put a serious dent in the Youths title ambitions.

Daniel Pender will continue to lead the line for the Blues and will look to add to the hat-trick he bagged against Athlone Town.

Goalkeeper, Matthew Connor, came through the game with Athlone and seems to have shaken off an injury which had previously kept him out of action.

Thomas Croke remains on the sideline having had ankle surgery and Darren Murphy, whom the Blues added to their squad from Cork City in July, remains a doubt with a foot injury.

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Title chasing Wexford Youths make their way to the RSC on the back of two very big results against fellow title chasers Finn Harps and Cabinteely who were dispatched with a last gasp victory in Ferrycarrig.

However, the Youths have failed to pick up full points in their last two games on the road and this is something that manager Shane Keegan will want to set right in Waterford as the season enters the all important final matches.

Willie Tyrrell will not be involved for Wexford Youths as the defender received an early red card in against Cabinteely in his last outing.  

Danny Furlong, who had a brief spell with United, will be the man to watch again on the night for Wexford. The First Division’s top scorer will aim to add to his impressive tally and maintain Youths spot at the top of the table.

The two remaining games against UCD may shape the final outcome of Wexford Youths season but there is no doubt that Shane Keegan will ensure his side are in no way complacent as they aim to lift the First Division title and take their seat at the top table for the first time.

Referee: Simon Rogers

MATCH STATS

In their three clashes so far this season Wexford Youths and Waterford United have shared 12 goals between them with 9 of those strikes coming at the RSC.

The Blues have come out on top 15 times against the Youths who have won 12 times. Two ties ended all square.

Of their 14 ties played at the RSC each team has recorded seven wins apiece.

BETTING

Waterford United 5/1; Draw 13/5; Wexford Youths 8/15.

PREDICTION

Waterford United 2-2 Wexford Youths.

Waterford United

Injured: Thomas Croke.

Doubtful: Darren Murphy.

Suspended: None.

Wexford Youths

Injured: Stephen Last, Dean Broaders.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Willie Tyrrell, Shane Dunne, Aidan Keenan.