Preview: Dundalk vs Waterford Utd
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Joint-top sides and title rivals Dundalk and Waterford United meet for the first time this season when they clash in a crucial eircom League of Ireland First Division fixture at Oriel Park this Thursday evening (kick-off 7.45pm). With only alphabetical order seeing Dundalk sit on top of the standings, this clash is sure to be the most intriguing of the year so far. Installed now as high as 2/1 favourites for the league, John Gill’s men will be expected by the experts to make home advantage count here, against a Waterford side who are sitting just behind them in the outright betting at 9/4.
However, with five games played, three won, two drawn, none lost, eight goals scored, three conceded and eleven points accumulated, the pair cannot be separated at the summit. Dundalk go into the game on the back of two disappointing displays against Wexford Youths and Sporting Fingal, however, they will be looking to keep their one-hundred percent home record going here. Waterford, on the other hand, enter on the back of two convincing home wins over Fingal and Limerick 37, though they did drop points on their last away trip as they were held to a scoreless draw by Athlone Town three weeks ago.
Thursday will be exactly seven years to the day since Dundalk’s last league victory over Waterford. Interestingly, David Crawley scored from the penalty spot that day, while the Lilywhites went on to lift the First Division title just weeks later.
Team News: Hosts Dundalk are able to recall goalkeeper Chris Bennion to the squad after the Scot served an extra one-match ban last week. This game will also, hopefully, see the return of captain Aidan Lynch and midfielder Paul Shiels, although right-back John Flanagan is a doubt having been forced off with an ankle injury at Fingal. Star midfielder David Cassidy should now be available from the start, while the same should go for central defender Ben Whelehan.
Waterford United, meanwhile, will be without suspended striker Karl Bermingham, who received a straight red card for dissent late on in last weekend’s home win over Limerick. Gareth Cronin will, however, have both star hitman Vinny Sullivan and captain John Hayes available after the pair sat in the stands last Friday due to bans.
