League Preview: Waterford United -v- UCD

Waterford United host UCD at the RSC in the First Division on Friday evening with the game kicking off at 7.45pm.

WATERFORD UNITED

April was an extremely difficult month for everybody at the RSC. Few would have predicted how taxing it would have been on the club at the start of the month and if somebody had predicted what was to follow they would have been mocked and most likely called an April’s Fool themselves.

Roddy Collins was absent from the sideline for the duration of the month due to the six game ban handed to the Dubliner by the FAI, the results on the pitch saw the Blues pick up just one league point from 15, a frail Blues defence twice shifted 7 goals in a match, Chairman John O’Sullivan who had been at the helm of the club for a decade stepped down and to make matters worse, on top of all that the club issued a plea to supporters and football fans around the country and world to help them raise a figure of 80,000 to keep the club up and running for the duration of this season.

On the field there have been mixed fortunes for the Waterford men. Their attacking options seem to be clicking together nicely. Philip Gorman and Eoin Rhodes are finding the back of the net with the ever impressive Anthony McAlavey providing the ammunition for the marksmen. The have scored in every league match to date but this record can not make up for the serious problems in  United’s rearguard.

Roddy Collins needs to sort out his defensive unit and quickly. A result against UCD is far from impossible and if Waterford can turn it on in the same manner they did when the sides met in Dublin back in March then the home fans will have a very enjoyable night.

UCD

UCD have had an indifferent season to date but still sit within striking distance of second place in the First Division and a spot in the promotion play-off is the main goal for Collie O’Neill’s charges due to Limerick utter dominance on the pitch.

Without the distraction of European football this season UCD may be well positioned to claim one of those precious play-off places if they can string together a run of form like the 17 game unbeaten streak they put together last season in the league.

It is hard to pinpoint what tweaks need to be made to the Student’s side right now. They have goals in their team but in a similar manner to Waterford they may need to shift their defence around to try and build on the clean sheet achieved against Cabinteely last time out if they are to make a solid charge in the right direction.

At the RSC their defence will be tested but if Ryan Swan has his shooting boots on him then they possess the power up front to punish a Blues defense that has been leaking goals left, right and centre of late.

Referee: David Keeler

MATCH STATS

Waterford United beat UCD 3-1 in Dublin back in March for first time since 2009.

UCD are unbeaten in their last five trips to the RSC.

UCD have won just one of their last five league games whilst Waterford United have picked up just a single point over the same number of matches.

BETTING

Waterford United 11/4; Draw 23/10; UCD 10/11.

PREDICTION

Waterford United 1-1 Shelbourne.

Waterford United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

UCD

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.