League Preview: Dundalk -v- Longford Town

DUNDALK

Reigning Champions Dundalk, will go into tomorrow night’s league encounter against struggling Midlanders Longford Town seeking to extend their advantage at the summit of the Premier Division to nine points.

The Lilywhites trounced Derry City at the Brandywell last Friday night, 5-0, with striker David McMillan in top form, scoring a hat-trick, making him the league’s top-scorer with nine goals in the process, and impressing all present at the Foyleside venue with his pace and offensive prowess.

Dundalk will begin their preparations for their European campaign after Tuesday night’s match, with the visit of Icelandic outfit, FH Hafnarfjordor just nine days away.

Stephen Kenny should be very confident of securing the three points tomorrow evening, as a consequence of the two side’s vastly contrasting form guide. The Lilywhites have lost only two league matches in 2016, whereas Longford have only triumphed once since the onset of the Airtricity League season.

Kenny will surely be encouraged by the form of his intrinsic attacking midfield duo, Ronan Finn and Patrick McEleney. The symbiotic pair appear to have an irresistible understanding, which bamboozles all opposition defences and their style of play will surely complement the graft of Stephen O’Donnell and Chris Shields when the border men enter their European season next week.

Following his Man of the Match display in the north-west last Friday night, Lilywhites front man, David McMillan insisted that it’s imperative that his team mates regain focus ahead of Longford Town’s visit.

McMillan said: “We had a good win at the Brandywell on Friday night. It’s always a tough place to go but we got through it. I am happy to get the hat-trick, the first of my career, but it was important that we won the game and I think it was a fantastic team performance.

“We can’t lose concentration. We set out to get nine from nine in the games before we go away like last year and we spoke about that during the break.

“We can’t take our eye off the ball and can’t lose focus especially on Tuesday. It’s crucial that we go into the Champions League tie in good form. We want to carry that performance into Europe but we want to win on Tuesday night against Longford Town, they are going to be tough to play against but we will be going out to win.”

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford Town head east to Oriel Park, the home of the Champions tomorrow night in what can only be described as a ‘daunting prospect,’ as a result of their shocking recent form, both against the Champions and in League affairs generally this season.

Town did well to win a point at the Carrick Road venue last summer, however, they have lost all three home games to Stephen Kenny’s men over the course of the past 18 months, since they regained their top flight status.

Tony Cousins also saw his side lose last season’s FAI Cup semi-final tie to the Lilywhites, a defeat which seems to be begun the rot which is currently ravaging the Longford natives.

Town have failed to win a league fixture since the opening day. A 2-0 win over newly promoted Wexford Youths in Ferrycarrig Park gave Longford the winning feeling for the only time this term. As a consequence, they sit rooted to the bottom of the table, with mounting pressure being applied to their beleaguered manager Cousins.

Crowds have also begun to fall at an alarming rate. A meagre 351 were in attendance at the City Calling Stadium for their recent league defeat to relegation rivals, Finn Harps.

Bray Wanderers picked up three points from last weekend’s league match against Wexford Youths, a result which cuts Longford adrift at the foot of the League standings.

Referee: David McKeon

MATCH FACTS

This will be the 30th meeting between Dundalk and Longford Town.

Dundalk are currently on a six match unbeaten run against Longford Town in all competitions and can make that seven for the first time since 2000-08.

Dundalk have got no former Longford Town players currently in their squad however Vinny Perth lined out in midfield for the club during their golden era and of course our own manager Stephen Kenny got his management career off the ground in the midlands back in 1998.

Longford Town central defender Mark Rossiter availed of a league winners medal with the Lilywhites in 2014.

BETTING

Dundalk 1/14; Draw 8/1; Longford Town 25/1.

PREDICTION

Dundalk 4-0 Longford Town

Dundalk

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Longford Town

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.