League Preview: Galway United -v- St. Patrick's Athletic

GALWAY UNITED

Galway United welcomes St. Patrick’s Athletic in the final league outing of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division 2015 to Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night. Kickoff is at 7.45pm.

League survival is still not mathematically guaranteed for the Tribesmen but their fate is predominantly in their hands. Drogheda would need to beat Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght by seven or more goals and hope St. Pats win on Friday night. The odds of Galway going down are effectively slim to none.

In the previous three meetings this season, the Saints never really looked troubled by United. Even in the EA Sports Cup final that went the full 120 minutes to penalties, Pats missed chance after chance and, although, United had their own opportunities to win the game, over the course of the season, Liam Buckley’s side have been the better side.

In team news, David O’Leary, Alex Byrne, Kilian Cantwell and long-term absentee Padraic Cunningham are all ruled out through injury.

United manager Tommy Dunne is not taking anything for granted and speaking to the club’s website, Dunne has called on his players to give the fans a positive result to end a long hard season on a high.

“We’re going to try and pick up a positive result and take care of our own destiny. Our supporters have been fantastic all year and we’re looking to give them something to cheer about on the final day”

ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

While most eyes on Friday night are looking for Galway survival, St. Pat’s are chasing a European qualification spot and thus will probably not field a weakened team.

European football aside, Buckley will want to finish the 2015 season on a high in which he claimed his first EA Sports Cup trophy as Saints’ manager. The previous two league encounters between the sides saw Pats score seven goals and concede only two.

Despite the overwhelming goal difference, Pats come into Friday’s game on the back of some poor form, winning only twice from their previous five league games.

In September’s cup final, held at the Corrib river venue, both teams were held to a scoreless draw and the Dublin side went onto win on penalties. Oddly, in the cup’s previous rounds, Pats failed to score a single goal and had to rely on penalties to reach the final.

Speaking to stpatsfc.ie, Liam Buckley is looking for his players to sign off on a high, but he’s fully aware of Galway’s burgeoning desire to claim the full three points to avoid any possible contusion in United’s relegation battle with Drogheda.

"We know from last month's EA Sports Cup Final what Galway can do and with it being the final game of the season, both teams will want to finish on a high. Galway have had a good season in what is their first season back in the top flight in a number of seasons so we're expecting a tough game"

Referee: Padraigh Sutton

MATCH STATS

St. Pats have scored seven against Galway United in three games.

United’s Jake Keegan and Enda Curran have scored 24 league goals between them.

Saints have two wins from previous five league games.

BETTING

Galway United 12/5; Draw 23/10; St. Patrick’s Athletic 11/10

PREDICTION

Galway United 2-2 St. Patrick’s Athletic

Galway United

Injured: David O’Leary (hip), Alex Byrne (groin), Kilian Cantwell (ankle) and Padraic Cunningham (knee)

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

St. Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Brendan Clarke (broken finger)

Doubtful: Jason McGuinness and Greg Bolger

Suspended: None