League Preview: Cabinteely -v- UCD

CABINTEELY

Table toppers Cabinteely will be looking to copper-fasten their First Division title ambitions this weekend when they host UCD on Friday evening (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

Cabinteely head into the Friday night encounter against Andy Myler’s side off the back of a superb 3-1 win away to Longford Town on Monday evening.

Zak O’Neill, Kieran Marty Waters and Kevin Knight all netted for the Green and White’s as they eased past Longford.

Joe Gorman’s consolation was not enough to see Daire Doyle’s charges back into the game, as Cabinteely went six points clear of De Town.

Cabinteely now find themselves five points clear at the top of the First Division table after the midweek action.

However, manager Pat Devlin is refusing to get carried away just yet: ““It’s a local derby. They are a difficult side to play against.

“They have a number of particularly good players. We know how tough it is going to be. It will be a different atmosphere with the Covid situation.”

Cabinteely are expected to be without a number of players on Friday evening, although they are expected to welcome back some from injuries.

UCD

After their nine-men saw off Athlone Town on Monday evening, Andy Myler’s UCD return to First Division action on Friday evening when they travel down the N11 to face local rivals Cabinteely.

The Students saw both Michael Gallagher and Jack Keaney sent off against Adrian Carberry’s Athlone, however, Yoyo Mahdy’s brace earned all three points for UCD.

Myler’s young guns fell behind thanks to a Lee Duffy strike, but Mahdy’s double wiped out the possibility of a point for the Blue and Black of the Midlands.

The result saw UCD move to within two points of Longford Town who currently occupy 4^th position in the league table.

UCD have not won a league game away from home since the 31^st of August 2018, when they defeated Drogheda 3-0 at United Park.

On that occasion, Conor Davis netted a hat-trick for the Students as they romped to an easy win over the Boynesiders.

In terms of team news, UCD are unlikely to have any injuries ahead of their trip down the N11 to face Cabinteely.

However, both Jack Keaney and Michael Gallagher will miss out after picking up red cards in their most recent league games.

Referee: Adriano Reale.

MATCH STATS

UCD have yet to win away from home in this season’s First Division after three games. Any Myler’s side have lost twice and drawn once away from home already.

They have also conceded 8 goals on their travels thus far, with five going against them in a single clash against Drogheda United in March.

This will be the 15^th league meeting between the club’. In total, UCD have won ten times. Cabo have won just twice with the other two being drawn.

BETTING

Cabinteely 8/15; Draw 3/1; UCD 7/2.

PREDICTION

Cabinteely 1 - 1 UCD

Cabinteely

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.

UCD

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: Jack Keaney, Michael Gallagher.