League Preview: Galway United -v- Athlone Town

GALWAY UNITED

The Tribesmen will be looking to start building a bit of form when they host Athlone Town on Friday night at Eamonn Deacy Park (kick-off 7.45pm).

United have been on a fairly dismal run of form even going back as far as July, the last time they secured back to back wins.

This inconsistency has brought them to the brink of losing out on the First Division title to Cork City, who could outright win promotion should Galway fail to win tomorrow night.

After beating Cork in September there was one last bit of hope for John Caulfield’s men when they had an opportunity to cut the gap to four points had they won their game at hand against Treaty United, they drew 1-1.

They struggled against Treaty however, and only rescued a point late on when they were controversially awarded a penalty which Stephen Walsh converted.

United are now in third place in the First Division (Waterford are ahead on goal difference) and six points off the leaders as they are all but doomed to the hard slog of the playoffs once the regular season concludes.

Given their struggles on the field in recent weeks and Athlone’s improved form their certainly not guaranteed a win tomorrow night, and they’ll need to try and put a hold on second place at the very least to give them the easier run in the playoffs in a few weeks time.

ATHLONE TOWN

The Town have rallied in the last few weeks winning three of their last six games which is half of their 18 point total for the season so far.

They are now ahead of Cobh Ramblers with four points between themselves and the bottom of the table and a win tomorrow night would guarantee that they would avoid the wooden spoon this season.

In their last game they secured a point in the Midlands El Classico with themselves and Longford Town playing out a 2-2 draw.

Adam Lennon put the Town in front in the fifth minute only for Jordan Adeyemo to peg them back four minutes later.

Athlone took the lea again before the halftime break when Thomas Oluwa scored but Aaron Robinson scored on the hour mark to give the side a share of the points last Friday night.

Referee: Declan Toland

MATCH STATS

The Tribesmen have won just one of their last six games in the First Division.

Athlone Town have won three of their last six games.

The sides have met three times so far this season with Galway winning each time.

PREDICTION

Galway United 1–1 Athlone Town

Galway United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Athlone Town

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.