League Preview: Dundalk FC -v- Galway United

DUNDALK FC

The League champions will finish the first series of games on top of the league regardless of how this fixture finishes. They welcome high-flying Galway United to Oriel Park as they look to finish the first third of the season on a high.

An industrious 2-0 win over Bohemians in Dalymount Park stretched Dundalk's winning streak to four games. Daryl Horgan's free kick, along with his headed effort put the Gypsies to the sword. Predictably, Lilywhite manager, Stephen Kenny, was pleased with his side's recent forays to the capital and wants to carry that momentum into the game in Oriel Park against the Tribesmen:

"From our point of view we have had two very good wins in Dublin the past couple of weeks against Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians at Tallaght Stadium and Dalymount Park. Motivation is to now continue that good form back at home to Galway United who have had a good start to the season."

Dundalk's four game streak coincides with a clean sheet streak for netminder Gary Rogers. Speaking to his club's media he praised his side's ability to grind out a result on the back of a below par performance but hoped that his team mates would be ready to raise their game for the visit of Galway.

“It was a terrific result last week against Bohemians. It’s a results business so to get that result we are very happy. We were able to come off at the break one up, even though we didn’t play well and that was important. We pushed on in the second half then and we were able to get the three points which we are delighted with.

“Galway have had a great start to the season and are in terrific form. They got a draw last week but we know we will have to be at our best. You won’t win any game when you are below par and especially against a team up in the top four. We know that and they will give us a stern test.”

Patrick McEleney missed last weekend’s trip to Dalymount due to a hamstring injury and will not return to the fold just yet. Dundalk are still without Ciarán Kilduff, Stephen O'Donnell and Ciarán O'Connor. There are no suspensions whilst Michael O’Connor, Paddy Barrett and Shane Grimes all return from injury.

GALWAY UTD

The Tribesmen have had an impressive start to the season and currently sit in fourth place in the table, pipping Shamrock Rovers on goal difference. Their trip to Oriel Park will be viewed with interest by pundits and fans alike as an acid test of their ability to keep the pace.

Defeat in the EA Sports Cup to Limerick and a draw against Longford Town has manager Tommy Dunne seeking an improvement against the League champions.

"We're looking for a better performance. We were disappointed with our performance levels in our last two games against Longford and Limerick. Make no mistake about it, if you don't perform, you're not going to get anything from Oriel Park.

"Everybody knows that travelling to Oriel Park is a tough task and it's always difficult to pick up points there".

Galway's last outing in Oriel Park was a draw, albeit towards the end of the season when the Lilywhites had the league already sown up. Their earlier league encounter in Oriel resulted in a 3-0 win for the home side.

Dunne hopes that with the right approach there is a chance he can come away with a share of the spoils. He was aware that the game will most likely be his side's toughest test of the series but shrugged off the notion that there was any pressure on his side:

"Derry City and Cork City have gotten results there this season, we feel if we play to our potential, we can pick up a result also. It's a tough game, but we're looking forward to the challenge. Dundalk are a very strong outfit, from goalkeeper right through to their bench.

"They're free scoring at the moment and they've got threats all over the pitch, even their back four weigh in with goals. We need to have 12 or 13 players who are going to give us everything, but we go there under no pressure. The players can afford to go out and play their natural game."

News from the treatment room is that captain Padraic Cunningham will not be available, nor will Stephen Folan. Ryan Connolly and Kevin Devaney are doubtful ahead of their trip east.

Referee: Ray Matthews

MATCH STATS

The Lilywhites are on a 17 game unbeaten run against Galway and can go 18 for the first time since a sequence in 1989-95

Dundalk have got three former Galway United players in their squad – Gary Rogers, Paddy Barrett and Stephen O’Donnell. Galway's leading scorer, Vinny Faherty, is a former Lilywhite.

In the Premier Division Dundalk haven’t lost to the Tribesmen since March 1987.

BETTING

Dundalk 4/11; Draw 7/2; Galway 15/2.

PREDICTION

Dundalk FC 2 - 0 Galway Utd

Dundalk FC

Injured: Ciarán Kilduff (back), Stephen O'Donnell (ankle), Ciarán O'Connor (foot), Patrick McEleney (hamstring).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Galway Utd

Injured: Stephen Folan (back), Padraig Cunningham (knee).

Doubtful: Ryan Connolly, Kevin Devaney

Suspended: None