League Preview: Cabinteely -v- Wexford

Fifth-placed and play-off chasing Cabinteely host bottom-of-the-table Wexford at Stradbrook Park on Friday night. (Kick-off 7:45 pm)

CABINTEELY

Fifth-placed Cabinteely have slightly fallen off prior to the mid-season break, being top of the table in mid-May to being winless in their last five league fixtures.

Pat Devlin's men have drawn their last three games in a row before the break. A 0-0 draw at Galway was followed up with two 2-2 draws, at home to Cobh Ramblers and most recently, away to Athlone Town two weeks ago.

Speaking to his club's Twitter account, assistant manager Eddie Gormley is delighted to see the campaign restart and expects a tough game against Wexford.

"It's been a busy week for us. The lads got a well-needed rest, and now that they're back in there's been a great vibe and buzz about the place," the former Bray Wanderers manager said. 

"It's been proven all season that there are no easy games in this league, and Friday night will be no different.

“We'll have to be at our best to compete with them. They gave us a hard game down there (Ferrycarrig Park)."

The South Dubliners have a record of eight wins, five draws, and just four defeats from their 17 league games. 

This shows that Devlin's side have been much more competitive this year, and is a contrast to the three seasons they've had since been elected to the league in 2015.

Moreover, they actually have a poor home record of three wins, two draws, and three defeats from their eight games to date at Stradbrook.

Cabo have not released any team news ahead of the game, but did confirm that they have no injuries or suspensions to contend with and the Leaving Cert and College exams now completed.

WEXFORD

Before the mid-season break, Wexford drew 0-0 at home to Limerick, which arrested a four-game losing run.

The Slaneysiders have lost five of their last seven in the league, and haven’t won since 26 April, when Brian O’Sullivan’s side beat similarly struggling Athlone Town 2-0.

O'Sullivan's team haven't had much luck go their way this season .A lot of good performances have gone unrewarded, but the atmosphere in the Wexford camp remains positive and the team are looking to finish the season off strongly.

The club has been very busy during the summer transfer window, strengthening the squad with five new signings.

Midfielders Conor Sutton and John Peare have already appeared in the last two games, while Ricky Fox is available for selection for the first time having served out the suspension from his previous club.

The fourth new signing Andy Mulligan has been working his way back from an ACL injury picked up in 2017 but is very close to a return to action and will hopefully be back in the next two weeks. The most recent arrival, defender Andrew O'Connor, is fully fit and available for selection.

Wexford remain at the bottom of the First Division going into the game. Athlone and Galway are three and four points above in 9th and 8th position respectively, and will be hoping for a positive result tomorrow evening to kick-start a tough schedule in July with three of their four games coming away from home (Athlone, Cobh and Shelbourne).

In team news, Club captain Chris Kenny will miss the trip to Stradbrook through injury. Thomas Croke is absent due to a one game suspension, having picked up five yellow cards.

However, Ryan Nolan and Sean Callan are back in the squad for Friday night’s trip to the capital.

Referee: Adriano Reale.

MATCH STATS

Both sides have met 12 times competitively since Cabinteely's introduction to the league in 2015. Wexford have been victorious on seven occasions, Cabo have won four and there has been one draw.

From those 12 previous meetings, there has been an average of 2.7 goals per game.

Cabo beat Wexford 2-0 at Ferrycarrig Park in April. Rob Manley and Jack Watson both scored in the opening period, while Wexford's Owen McCormack was dismissed in the second-half.

From the three meetings between the pair last season, Wexford won the first and third meetings in Stradbrook. Cabo won second game 1-0 in Wexford, however.

From their 17 games, Wexford have a record of 2 wins, 3 draws and 12 losses. They’ve scored just 15 goals, and have conceded 35.

BETTING

Cabinteely 1/2; Draw 3/1; Wexford 4/1.

PREDICTION

Cabinteely 2-1 Wexford.

Cabinteely

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Wexford

Injured: Chris Kenny.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Thomas Croke.