EA Sports Cup Preview: Cork City -v- Waterford United

Both Cork City and Waterford United take a break from domestic action this evening, as they play each other in the 2^nd round of the EA Sports Cup in Turners Cross. (KO: 7:45)

CORK CITY

The home side go into this game off the back of three draws, one of those at home to Premier Division new boys, Wexford Youths and the other two away, drawing 0-0 with Sligo Rovers and 2-2 with Galway United.

After the draw in Terryland this past Friday, Cork City will be looking to get out of this mini slump they seem to have found themselves in of late, with John Caulfield saying in his pre-match notes that he will ring in the changes for the visit of the First Division side.

“All of the lads who were on the bench the other night need to play, and we have also brought a few of our Under 19s in. Alan Smith in goal will get his first start of the season as well. It will be a very strong team and it will be an opportunity for us to get to the quarter finals. We are at home and we are overwhelming favourites, but it is important for us to put on a good performance and to get to the quarter finals.

“Waterford have a lot of young players and they have been a bit inconsistent; they have had two or three very good wins and they have had some losses too. They are the underdogs coming to Turner’s Cross and we expect them to have a go off us, but it is a real opportunity for us.”

The Rebel Army may be without their captain, John Dunleavy, after the Donegal man picked up a knock on Friday, ex-Waterford United man Kevin O’Connor is expected to return, following an injury he picked up during the game against Wexford Youths, and John Kavanagh will be the other absentee for City, has he has not played since last July.

WATERFORD UNITED

Just like their hosts this evening, Waterford have not won in their last three games, drawing with Athlone Town 3-3 away from home, then losing to Cobh Ramblers 2-1 followed by a 4-1 defeat to Shelbourne 4-1.

Roddy Collins’ speaking to Waterford-united.ie said he has been very disappointed with the goals his conceded in their home defeat to Shelbourne on Friday, but cannot fault the effort his team has put in in recent weeks;

"I was disappointed with the manner of a couple of the goals that we conceded against Shelbourne on Friday night where perhaps we didn't have the balance of our team right but I can't fault any of the players for the effort that they are putting in at the moment.

“It's not easy to play three league games in the space of seven days and that might be catching up a bit on us now so we'll have a number of our U19 players play in the cup game against Cork City. I think that our league game against Drogheda United on Friday night is more important.”

Waterford will be without Philly Gorman, who is out with an ankle injury, while Eoin Rhodes is suspended. Roddy Collins Jr and Yoann Fellrath will also be missing for the visitors, as their registrations did not go through with the pair now set to have to sit out the opening half of the campaign until the window reopens in July.

Referee:  Anthony Buttimer

MATCH STATS

The last time these sides played each other was during pre-season in the RSC, with Cork City coming away 7-0 winners, Ian Turner took home the match ball that evening, with Alan Bennett, Sean Maguire, Mark O’Sullivan and trialist Kyle MacLeod rounding off the scoring.

These two sides have played each other a total of 35 times, with Cork City winning 16 times, Waterford have secured victory on seven occasions and there has been 12 draws between the two clubs.

These two sides also played each other at this juncture of the competition last season, Cork City came away 2-0 winners that day. Current Linfield player Ross Gaynor opened the scoring from the spot with current Cobh Ramblers striker Rob Lehane adding a second.

BETTING

Cork City 1/16; Draw 9/1; Waterford United 25/1.

PREDICTION

Cork City 4-0 Waterford United.

Cork City

Injured: John Dunleavy, John Kavanagh.

Doubtful: Kevin O’Connor.

Suspended: None.

Waterford United

Injured: Philly Gorman.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Eoin Rhodes.