League Preview: Dundalk -v- Waterford

DUNDALK

Dundalk hope to make it back-to-back wins against Waterford when they welcome the Blues to Oriel Park on Friday night (kick-off 5.45pm).

The Lilywhites beat John Sheridan’s side 1-0 in the FAI Cup first round on Tuesday night thanks to Seán Hoare’s first-half header from a Stefan Colovic free kick.

Manager Vinny Perth will hope Tuesday’s result can help his side relaunch their season after a disappointing defeat away to Bohemians last Friday and home draw with St Patrick’s Athletic the week before.

“We’ve got Darragh Leahy, Seán Hoare and Brian Gartland back on the pitch, and that gave us a huge injection,” Perth told the club’s media channels after the midweek win.

“Not that the lads that had done much wrong, but there’s a bit of confidence there with those lads coming back.”

Cameron Dummigan is likely to be out for a long period of time after picking up a suspected broken ankle in Tuesday’s game.

Andy Boyle has also picked up a knock and won’t be risked ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League qualifier against NK Celje in Hungary.

WATERFORD

Waterford look to get back to winning ways when they travel to county Louth once again on Friday.

Sheridan’s side played out a scoreless draw with rivals Cork City last Sunday at the RSC before their defeat to the Lilywhites on Tuesday.

On their first post-lockdown game, Sheridan oversaw his first game in charge of the Blues, which ended in a 1-0 win away at Shelbourne.

A couple of days after that game the club announced that a couple of players had presented themselves with Covid-19 related symptoms on separate occasions.

This led to the postponement of their Premier Division fixture with Sligo Rovers.

However, since then both players have been tested negative and the club have been able to return to full-time training.

At the time of uploading, Waterford were yet to release team news.

Referee: Ray Matthews

MATCH STATS

The sides met five times in all competitions in 2019 with Dundalk winning on each occasion.

Waterford’s last win over Dundalk came in May 2018 when a brace from Ismahil Akinade helped the Blues to a 2-1 win at the RSC.

Dundalk’s last league defeat at Oriel Park came in August of 2018 when Shamrock Rovers won 3-2 at the Louth venue.

BETTING

Dundalk 1/4; Draw 4/1; Waterford 17/2.

PREDICTION

Dundalk 2–1 Waterford

Dundalk

Injured: Cameron Dummigan, Andy Boyle.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Waterford

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.