League Preview: UCD -v- Waterford United

UCD and Waterford meet tonight in the UCD Bowl in a clash of the utmost importance for both sides. UCD will be aiming to stay in touch at the top of the table whilst Waterford United are still seeking their first points of the season when the sides clash later on at 7.45pm.

UCD

Collie O’Neill, who will be pleased to have a victory under his belt following last week’s 2-1 victory over Cabinteely, is without a number of key players through injuries and suspension for this encounter.

New signing and verteren League of Ireland marksman Jason Byrne is still unavailable with a calf issue and he is joined on the lengthy College injury list by Samir Belhout, Mark Langtry, Gary O’Neill, Tomas Boyle, Greg Sloggett and Jack Watson.

O’Neill can take confidence from his side’s record at home to Waterford United last season. In both matches UCD dominated and put a total of 8 goals on the board as they took all six available points.

With Limerick making such an impressive start to the campaign it is vital for UCD to establish themselves as a ‘team to beat’ and stay in touch with the league favourites.

They will have to do it without new signing Brian Shortall who is suspended but the inspirational Kieran Marty Waters, who joined from Shamrock Rovers, will be one of the main causes for concern for Roddy Collins heading into this clash. Waters could be the key man for UCD this season if they are to make the step back to the Premier Division which they narrowly missed out on last time around by falling at the Play-Off stage to Finn Harps.

WATERFORD UNITED

Waterford United find themselves rooted to the bottom of the league standings with no points on the board as they make the trip to Dublin for this clash following two very tough encounters against Drogheda United and Limerick FC, who were both relegated from the Premier Division last season.

Roddy Collins is aware that his side need to sort out their defensive issues against UCD if they are to get anything from their trip to Dublin which proved to be a difficult journey for the Blues last season as they suffered 3-0 and 5-1 defeats at the hands of the Students.

“It's going to be a very tough game for us away from home against UCD as it's never an easy place to go and get a result. I think that we really need to get it right defensively because that's caused us problems in the first two games of the season”.

Defensive frailties have proven to be the key issue for the Blues to content with so far this campaign. Untimely goals conceded on the stroke of halftime featured in both of their First Division fixtures to date and if they are not fully switched on against UCD they will be punished by an outfit who are looking to put an opening day mauling against Limerick behind them and cement their place at the top end of the table.

Collins has an injury and suspension free squad to choose from but he did let out his frustration at the unavailability of Roddy Collins Jr and Yoann Fellrath who are both still waiting on registration clearance before they can be selected to line out for Waterford United.

“We're still missing both Rod Jnr and Yoann due to registration issues. I would appeal to the people who deal with this to give us some assistance and allow us register those players. When you look at our squad, we are missing some experienced players and these two players are just what we need.”

Referee: Tom Dempsey

MATCH STATS

UCD were unbeaten against Waterford United last season in the First Division. Winning 3 games and sharing the spoils in one.

Waterford last beat UCD in Dublin back in November 2009 with a 3-2 scoreline in a First Division match.

Maxi Kougoun (UCD) and James O’Brien (Waterford United) are both top of the scoring charts in the First Division for their sides with 2 goals each.

BETTING

UCD 4/9; Draw 3/1; Waterford United 6/1.

PREDICTION

UCD 2-1 Waterford United

UCD

Injured: Jason Byrne, Samir Belhout, Mark Langtry, Gary O'Neill, Tomas Boyle, Greg Sloggett, Jack Watson

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Brian Shortall

Waterford United

Injured: None

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None

Unavailable: Roddy Collins Jnr, Yoann Fellrath (both registration issues)