League Preview: Wexford Youths - V - Finn Harps

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Wexford Youths have a great chance to apply pressure on Finn Harps in the relegation battle as they take on the Donegal outfit at Ferrycarrig Park on Friday night at 8pm.

However, a defeat will consign the home side to a promotion/relegation playoff against one of Drogheda or Cobh Ramblers.

The Youths are currently six points adrift of Finn Harps with three games remaining. Shane Keegan’s men have picked up four points against the visitors this season. The most recent meeting took place at Ballybofey which ended in a 0-1 win for Wexford.

Last weekends’ thrilling 5-4 win against Galway will provide a much-needed confidence boost to the hosts.

Although Wexford will feel the game should have been comfortable having taken a 5-0 lead.

Understandably, Shane Keegan was only interested in maintaining automatic survival last weekend. However, having virtually secured at least a place in the play-off, Wexford supporters will be desperately hoping for another attacking performance against a relatively defensive Finn Harps outfit.

When speaking to wexfordyouthsfc.ie, Keegan was optimistic about putting pressure on the visitors in the run in; “Before last weekend's results the play-off seemed like a certainty.  Now all of a sudden, things have gotten interesting and if we could pull off a result in this one they would get very, very interesting. That inevitably puts a bit of pressure on Harps.”

Gary Delaney remains the only injury concern for Wexford heading into the crucial encounter.

FINN HARPS

Finn Harps travel to Ferrycarrig Park with the aim of securing their Premier Division status for the 2017 season with a victory. In doing so, Harps will gain their first win of the season over their hosts. The visitors have steadied the ship in October following a dreadful run of results over the summer period. Harps suffered nine defeats in a row between July and the beginning of this month. In contrast, the Ballybofey outfit have lost just one of their last four league games, picking up significant draws against Sligo and St Pat’s.

Manager Ollie Horgan attempted to motivate his troops for one last push when speaking to the club’s official website; “It’s a massive match for us against Wexford who we have struggled against down the years and they have always finished ahead of us in the league table.

“It’s going to be very difficult but we must get a result at Ferrycarrig Park.”

Wexford pipped Finn Harps to the First Division title last season and are unbeaten against Horgan’s men this term.

Horgan is without experienced defender Damian McNulty as well as Keith Cowan. Furthermore, Kevin McHugh has retired and there are doubts over Sean Houston, Barry Molloy and Mickey Funston. With so many absentees, it is imperative that the Harps squad show a lot of character to ensure Premier Division football at Finn Park for the 2017 season. 

Referee: Tomas Connolly

MATCH STATS

Finn Harps have failed to beat Wexford this season. The first encounter at Ferrycarrig Park ended in a 1-1 draw. Ryan Curran’s opener was cancelled out by Andy Mulligan. Wexford gained a vital three points at Finn Park in July as a late Gary Delaney header secured the win.

In the last six meetings between the sides, Finn Harps have emerged victorious on two occasions, Wexford have won on three occasions and there has been one draw.

Astonishingly, since 2012, Wexford Youths have finished just one place above Finn Harps in each league table.

BETTING

Wexford 13/10; Draw 9/4; Finn Harps 19/10.

PREDICTION

Wexford Youths 2-1 Finn Harps

Wexford Youths

Injured: Gary Delaney.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Finn Harps

Injured: Keith Cowan, Ruari Keating.

Doubtful: Sean Houston, Adam Hanlon, Mickey Funston, Barry Molloy.

Suspended: Damien McNulty.