League Preview: Cork City -v- Longford Town

CORK CITY

Cork City will entertain Longford Town at Turner’s Cross in an intriguing fixture in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division on Monday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Rebel Army will be aiming to get their season back on track after a surprising 1-0 away defeat at the hands of Derry City at the Brandywell last Friday night. Cork looked impressive in their opening home game with a comfortable 2-0 win over Bohemians thanks to a double from Sean Maguire.

City boss John Caulfield though is not getting complacent about the challenge that lies ahead stating to www.corkcityfc.ie, “We are playing Longford Town tomorrow night and it is a big game for us. Every week you have to earn the right to three points, there are no easy games. Against any team in this league, if you are not ready, you will leave points behind.”

Caulfield is also acutely aware of the importance of the home fans getting behind the team and has appealed for a big turnout of support tomorrow night.

“It’s difficult with the kids being at school, but I am appealing to the fans to come out tomorrow night, because they make a huge difference. The atmosphere against Bohemians was fantastic, we need the crowd in force and we need to get the three points.”

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford Town travel to the Rebel County with a similar objective to return to winning ways after a narrow 0-1 home defeat to St. Patrick’s Athletic.

Christy Fagan scored the solitary goal in the 65^th minute that finally broke the resistance of a gallant display after being reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Conor Powell just before the break.

De Town made an impressive start to their campaign over the past week with a 2-0 away victory over newly promoted Wexford Youths on the opening weekend thanks to goals from Kevin O’Connor and Josh O’Hanlon. It will be a tough ask for the Midlands side to get maximum points from this encounter but manager Tony Cousins knows the significance of his side taking something back with them to the City Calling Stadium.

Referee: Sean Grant

MATCH FACTS

Cork City had the better head to head record against Longford Town last season with two wins (2-0 at home and 1-4 at the City Calling Stadium) to Longford’s one (a 2-3 win at Turner’s Cross last time out).

The Leesiders have a better overall record against De Town with just one defeat in their last 10 meetings (five wins and four draws) and in the 37 games between the two sides Cork City have fared much better with 19 wins to Longford’s 5 and the honours were even on 11 occasions.

The Rebel Army have an impressive home record against De Town with 11 wins and 8 draws with Longford’s solitary victory at Turner’s Cross coming in their last league meeting back in October 2015.

BETTING

Cork City 1/3; Draw 15/4; Longford Town 15/2.

PREDICTON

Cork City 3-1 Longford Town

Cork City

Injured: John Kavanagh, Garry Buckley

Doubtful: Gavan Holohan

Suspended: Greg Bolger

Longford Town

Injured: Unknown

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended: Conor Powell