League Preview: UCD -v- Waterford FC

It's Friday Night Lights at The Bowl for the second consecutive week as UCD take on Waterford with Kick-Off in Belfield at the usual time of 7:45. Both sides come into the clash on the back of impressive victories, a fine first half performance saw UCD walk away with 4-0 Victory over Shelbourne last weekend while a brace from David McDaid plus a third from Anthony McAlvey helped Waterford to a 3-0 win against Cabinteely at The RSC.

UCD

The Students are in fine form ahead of the visit of Pat Fenlon’s men, sitting top of the table ahead of Athlone on goal difference after winning their first two games and will look to extend their lead by seeing off one of their promotion rivals.

They go into the game with a clean bill of health and no suspensions, which leaves Collie O’Neill with plenty of options to work with so it’ll be interesting to see if he’ll opt for the same starting 11 as he did last Friday night or switch up the formula.

Solid defensive contributions from centre halves Maxi Kouogun and Liam Scales have laid the foundation for the Students good early form and they’ll be looking to keep Mark O’Sullivan and company quiet on their way to a third consecutive clean sheet.

Last week’s Man of The Match Gary O’Neill is also fit and will be looking to build on his performance from last week, the Skipper finding the net twice including one from the penalty spot as his side romped to victory.

WATERFORD FC

The Blues managed to pick up their first three points of this year’s campaign after defeating Cabinteely last week, and will certainly be aiming for the same result again if they are to catch up to UCD in the table.

The Munster men are favourites for the title this season and will look to forget their opening day loss to Athlone and put together the run of form expected from their new look squad.

Summer signing David McDaid opened his account with a brace last week and is a doubt ahead of the game. The former Cliftonville man faces a late fitness test as does fellow new signing Kenneth McEvoy.

On loan Swindon man Tom Smith misses out however after picking up a knee injury last week, the midfielder has been back at his parent club having his injury assessed and will be unavailable for the foreseeable future.

Aside from those however, the rest of the squad are also at 100% including new signings Ian McLoughlin and Dean O’Halloran as well as The Blues’ other loan acquisition from Swindon, Jake Evans.

Defender Kenny Browne spoke ahead of the tie about the landscape of the division so far.

“We look forward to the UCD game now. They’re all big games at this stage. You see Cobh going away and beating Longford. There are a few surprise packages there as well with Athlone but it’s all about three points and it’s just the third game into the season.

He also admitted that the doubt lay more with The Blues than their opponents.

“We’re not really worried about UCD but more about ourselves. I think in my mindset anyways if we worry about ourselves we don’t have to worry about who we’re playing against.”

Referee: Adriano Reale

MATCH FACTS

UCD scored more goals in their final encounter against Waterford at The RSC last season (eight) than Waterford had scored against The Students all season (five).

Goals are always on the cards when these two sides meet, with a combined total of 26 scored in the last six encounters between the sides since UCD returned to the First Division in 2015, with both sides failing to find the net once in a 0-0 draw in June of that year.

Owen Walsh, Dean Wall and Tunmise Sobowale are the only surviving members of the Waterford squad from the last time they faced UCD back in September.

BETTING

UCD 9/4; Draw 12/5; Waterford 11/10.

PREDICTION

UCD 1-1 Waterford

UCD

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Waterford

Injured: Tom Smith

Doubtful: David McDaid, Kenneth McEvoy.

Suspended: None