League Preview: Waterford United -v- Cabinteely

Eddie Gormley’s Cabinteely make a trip to the RSC for a clash with Waterford United this Friday night at 7.45pm.

WATERFORD UNITED

The Blues put in a solid performance last time out in Ballybofey against Finn Harps and brought a deserved point home with them following a scoreless draw.

Roddy Collins will see this match against the South Dublin side as an opportunity to bag three points and climb above their opponents and off the bottom of the table.

Having only one home league win under their belt this season so far, which was a 3-1 victory against visitors Cabinteely in May, the home side will be out to fight tooth and nail to double that statistic with a good performance and give their supporters a long awaited three points under the RSC lights on Friday night.

Striker Daniel Pender seems to have played his last game for the Blues this season following his injury against Finn Harps which will leave Roddy Collins with a lack of fire power up front but Ethan Boyle is available again for selection following his suspension.
 

Corey Galvin may lead the line for the Blues who could also turn to Aaron O’Connor for goals.

Robert Birdsall played between the posts at Finn Park, keeping a clean sheet, so it will be interesting to see if Collins sticks with Birdsall or brings Matthew Connor back to the starting XI to guard the Waterford United goal.
 

Thomas Croke and Darren Murphy remain sidelined through injury whilst Sean Corcoran is suspended.

CABINTEELY FC

Eddie Gormley brings his side to the RSC hoping to go two games unbeaten for the first time since the opening two games of the season against Wexford Youths and UCD.

Although his side have the league’s poorest away record he will be confident following their tremendous 0-0 draw on their visit to Tolka Park and Shelbourne last time out. The fact that Waterford United are holders of the unwanted worst home record in the league must also encourage Gormley and his men.

The visitors will look to top scorer John McKeown for goals whilst Victor Ekanem and Ed McDonagh who both impressed against Shels will have to put in strong performances in the centre of defense to keep the Blues at bay.

This game could go a long way to deciding who finishes on bottom of the league at the end of the season and anywhere but final spot will be seen as a great start to senior football in the League of Ireland for Cabinteely.

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea

MATCH STATS

Waterford United and Cabinteely have faced each other three times so far this season.  Both sides have one win a piece and secured a point each in the meeting which ended level.

Both sides have been involved in a match with four goals scored on four occasions this season including the last time they met at the RSC which ended 3-1 to the Blues.

The Blues have scored 22 goals this season and that is just one more than the lowest total in the division which has been posted by Cabinteely.  The Dublin side have conceded 45 goals which is two less than the highest in the First Division, Waterford United with 47.

BETTING

Waterford United 8/11; Draw 12/5; Cabinteely FC 10/3.

PREDICTION

2-1

Waterford United

Injured: Thomas Croake, Darren Murphy and Daniel Pender.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Sean Corcoran.

Cabinteely FC

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: Conor Foley.