League Preview: Longford Town - V - Dundalk

Having taken two huge steps towards the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division title last week, Dundalk can put themselves into an almost unassailable seven-point lead over Cork City when they take on Longford Town at the City Calling Stadium on Monday night.

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford Town will go into their penultimate home fixture of the season tomorrow night seeking a first home league win of the season when they entertain champions Dundalk FC.

Alan Matthews’ men were all but relegated from the Premier Division following Friday night’s 1-0 defeat at the Showgrounds which coincided with Wexford Youths beating Galway United, 5-4. Youths, who are nine points ahead of Longford remain the only team that the Midlands outfit can mathematically catch with three games to play.

It is clear where the Town’s problems have lay all season. Unable to win at home, Longford have struggled to score goals accompanied by an unfortunate tendency to concede them at the other end. Their season never boded well.

When you reflect on their 2016 league stats, it is there for all to see. Town haven’t won a home league game this term, have only scored nine times at the City Calling Stadium while letting in a league high of 64 goals across their 30 encounters to date.

As a result, their two-year stay in the top-flight will come to an end before October is out. In truth, the departure of Tony Cousins as manager in August was the signal that survival was never going to be achieved with the former Dundalk attacker being the man who led Longford to their highest league finish since 2005 last season.

Their opening night victory over Wexford in Ferrycarrig Park had the Midlanders dreaming of a repeat of their sixth-place finish from 2015, however, with Stephen Rice and Gary Shaw among those to depart Longford in pre-season, a relegation fight was always on the cards.

Since Matthews returned to the City Calling Stadium, Longford have managed to win only one of their seven league matches. A 1-0 triumph away to Finn Harps is the exception on a record which has seen the former Bray Wanderers and Athlone Town boss lose the other six games by an aggregate total of 12 goals.

Tomorrow night’s hosts can though draw some inspiration from their credible performance at Oriel Park in July. Having trailed on three separate occasions, Longford admirably fought back in each instance only to let Ciaran Kilduff take the points for Dundalk in the 92^nd minute.

DUNDALK

The rampant champions will make the arduous trek west tomorrow as they bid to further strengthen their grip on the Premier Division title.

Stephen Kenny’s men gained a vital victory in Tallaght Stadium last Friday night, easing to a 3-0 win over the hosts while playing some of their best possession based football of the season.

The performances of first-team mainstays Ronan Finn and Brian Gartland typified the Lilywhites on the night as they out-classed Shamrock Rovers with either Finn or Gartland involved in each of the three goals.

The win and the performance did come at a cost for Dundalk though. David McMillan picked up a knock while Stephen O’Donnell limped off after only 13 minutes. The Lilywhites skipper is now a doubt for both their matches this week, the second of which sees the champions host Russian giants Zenit St. Petersburg.

In the captain’s absence, Chris Shields put in a sterling showing at the centre of the Lilywhites midfield against Rovers. His passing range and ability to dictate the play is improving with every game while his defensive awareness is unrivalled in the Airtricity League. Dundalk’s joint-longest serving player is likely to play a pivotal role as his side chase a third league title in consecutive years over the coming two weeks.

On paper, Dundalk should have too much for their hosts with their record against the Midlanders almost unblemished since Longford returned to the top-flight. Six wins and a draw in all competitions represents an excellent return from Dundalk’s encounters with Alan Matthews’ men and points to another favourable result for the Lilywhites on Monday night.

However, in title run-ins there are always blips, none more so than Sligo Rovers’ 3-0 demolition of Dundalk in Oriel Park eight days ago. That result is no longer the focus of national attention following the Lilywhites’ midweek heroics, although Dundalk must remain wary of the potential threat that a wounded Longford may have.

Former Longford Town manager and current boss of the County Louth men, Stephen Kenny spoke with dundalkfc.com in building up to tomorrow night’s match and insisted that his troops are ready “to go again.”

“We are very focused on the Longford game. We are very driven to go again after Friday night’s victory at Tallaght Stadium. The players are very hungry to succeed and to win matches. We are determined to show the requisite passion that will get us the victory.”

Referee: James McKell

MATCH STATS

Longford Town have only beaten Dundalk five times despite the sides facing-off for the 31^st time tomorrow night.

The sides have never drawn 0-0 at the City Calling Stadium, affectionately known as Flancare Park.

If Dundalk win in Longford on Monday night, it would be the first time ever that the Lilywhites have won three consecutive matches versus the Midlanders.

BETTING

Longford Town 17/1; Draw 13/2; Dundalk FC 1/8.

PREDICTION:

Longford Town 0-3 Dundalk FC

Longford Town

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.

Dundalk FC

Injured: Sean Gannon (calf), Stephen O’Donnell (hamstring).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.