League Preview: Galway United -v- Longford Town

GALWAY UNITED FC

Struggling Galway United hosts Longford Town at Eamonn Deacy Park on Saturday night in the SSE Airtricticy League Premier Division. Kick off 7.45pm.

It’s been a tough few weeks for the Tribesmen with little to shout about in the league or FAI Cup. The month of August started brilliantly with Galway qualifying for the EA Sports Cup final, their first since 1997, but the league has been a sorry affair. A 1-1 draw at home was the only point picked up during ‘silly season’ and the lack of wins has seen United slide down the table, close to the danger zone.

Tommy Dunne’s side has been ravaged by injuries for those games but thankfully he can welcome back Marc Ludden, Ryan Connolly and Stephen Walsh to his squad for this must win clash with Longford. Also joining the squad for Saturday’s game will be new signing, Finnish winger Tomi Saarelma.

A win for Galway would go a long way to keeping the wolves from the door and Dunne, speaking to galwayunitedfc.ie, knows with the return of three United stalwarts, his team has a fighting chance. 

“Getting the players back is positive and encouraging, now we have to roll our sleeves up and dig in and get some results.”

LONGFORD TOWN

The Town are coming into this game with some decent form having won last time out at home to Bray Wanderers 1-0. The prolific David O’Sullivan was on target for his fifth goal of the season in a game marred by a flurry of yellow cards and a red for Stephen Rice in the last quarter of the game. Rice serves a one match suspension and will miss Saturday’s game with Galway.

Town are sitting in seventh on the league table with a little room to spare over next-placed Derry City. A win over Galway could move the Midlands club further up the league standings and even joint level with Bohemians.

Tony cousins’ side have a good record on the road over the past number of games. They held Dundalk 0-0 in early August, drew 3-3 at Limerick and beat Cockhill United 2-0 in the FAI Cup and Saturday’s clash against the Tribesmen will be their fourth away game from the previous six.

As usual, Cousins will have his Longford team organised at the back and it will be hard for Galway to break them down. Town will be looking to attack Galway United’s weakness of defending set pieces to claim all three points in the city of the Tribes.

Referee: Robert Harvey

MATCH STATS

It’s all square between the teams this season with a win each.

Longford scored five goals in their last two away games

United still looking for win number four at home this league season.

BETTING

Galway United 13/10; Draw 11/5; Longford Town 21/10.

PREDICTION

Galway United 3-2 Longford Town.

Galway United FC

Injured: Padraic Cunningham (knee) and Alex Byrne (groin).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Longford Town

Injured: Don Cowan, Pat Flynn.

Doubtful: Gary Shaw (hamstring).

Suspended: Stephen Rice.