EA Sports Cup preview: Waterford -v- UCC

WATERFORD

Waterford will look to take their impressive league form into the EA Sports Cup when they welcome Munster Senior League outfit UCC to the RSC on Monday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).

Waterford lie third in the Premier Division table having won five of their first seven games.

The Blues have only dropped points on two occasions this campaign as they came short away from the RSC against last season's top two of Cork City and Dundalk.

Despite being doubts, Stanley Aborah, Izzy Akinade, Bastien Hery and Courtney Duffus all played a part in Friday night's 2-1 win over Shamrock Rovers, meaning Blues boss Alan Reynolds could rest them for the visit of UCC this Monday.

Rory Feely missed Friday's game and it's not known if he'll return in time for Monday's tie.

UCC

UCC will be hoping to cause an upset when they meet Waterford at the RSC on Monday.

Noel Healy's side currently lie fourth in the top tier of the Munster Senior League. The all-student side are currently five points behind leaders Midleton with six games remaining.

Healy's side will be very similar to the one that reached the final of the 2018 Colleges and Universities League where they were beaten 1-0 by UCD, who boasted an abundance of SSE Airtricity League talent on the day.

His squad also features a number of freshers that competed in the 2018 Harding Cup. The Cork men also reached the final of that competition, losing 1-0 to Trinity in the final.

UCC will be without the services of Daniel Pender and Rob Lynch who are both injured.

Referee: Unknown

MATCH STATS

Waterford's last home defeat came against Shelbourne all the way back in August of 2017.

The Blues made it to the last eight of the 2017 EA Sports Cup were they were beaten 3-0 away to Dundalk.

UCC are making theire first appearance in the competition since 2017 where they reached the quarter finals following wins over Wexford and Cobh Ramblers.
 

PREDICTION

Waterford 2-0 UCC

Waterford

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Rory Feely.

Suspended: None.

UCC

Injured: Daniel Pender, Rob Lynch.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.