League Preview: Galway United -v- Athlone Town

GALWAY UNITED

Galway United will be looking to extend their winning run at home in the First Division when they host Athlone Town at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Tribesmen have lost just one game so far this season and that was away to Longford Town a number of weeks ago.

United will be looking for their eighth straight home win of 2023 tomorrow night.

Since that disappointment John Caulfield’s men have defeated Waterford and Wexford with the side securing a 3-0 win over Treaty United away from home last weekend.

David Hurley and Francely Lomboto scored in the first half while Ibrahim Keita came off the bench to net late in the game to give the Tribesmen another important three points to keep them ten points clear at the top of the table.

That win was important too with a number of players absent either through suspension or injury – key players in Rob Slevin and Stephen Walsh alone had to sit out due to the former.

The pair return for Friday night’s fixture with United looking for another three points to keep their points advantage at the top of the table intact.

ATHLONE TOWN

The Town come into this fixture looking to turn a spell of poor form around against the most in form team in the First Division this season.

Despite glimpses of good form this year Athlone are now on a three game stretch without a win and that includes a shock 3-2 loss to Kerry a couple of weeks ago – the Kingdom’s first ever win in the League of Ireland.

Last week they had to come from behind twice to secure a point when they travelled to face Cobh Ramblers, Frantz Pierrot and Matthew Leal scoring to secure a point for the Town.

Despite the poor form Galway will have to be wary of Pierrot with the striker on fire this season with 12 to his name so far.

The forward has scored against the Tribesmen already with the Town taking the lead against Galway when the side faced each other earlier this season – United came back to win 3-1.

Referee: Gavin Colfer

MATCH STATS

Galway United have won all seven of their home games in the First Division this season.

Athlone’s Franz Pierrot and Galway’s Vincent Borden occupy the second and third place spots in the goalscoring charts for the First Division this season with 12 and 8 respectively.

The Tribesmen have beaten Athlone Town already this season with John Caulfield’s men running out 3-1 winners at Lissywollen in March.

PREDICTION

Galway United 2–0 Athlone Town

Galway United

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.

Athlone Town

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.