League Preview: Galway United -v- Finn Harps

GALWAY UNITED

Galway United will be looking to keep their winning run on home soil going this season when they host Finn Harps at Eamonn Deacy Park on Monday, kick off 5pm).

If they can secure the three points against Harps they will have won all nine of their home games this campaign.

On Friday night they dropped points for just the second time this First Division campaign when they drew 1-1 against Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds.

David Hurley converted from the penalty spot in the first half and Chris Lyons responded with a penalty for the Seagulls in the 50^th minute.

That penalty was given away by Rob Slevin who was dismissed by referee David Dunne after the foul with a second yellow.

The defender now misses out once again having had to miss the Treaty United game just two weeks ago due to suspension.

That game saw United drop points for the first time since they lost to Longford Town earlier this season and they now sit ten points clear of Waterford in the race for promotion to the Premier Division.

The Tribesmen beat Finn Harps once already this season when the side met in Ballybofey on the opening night of the season, but John Caulfield may have a few selection headaches particularly at the back tomorrow night.

Slevin is suspended, it’s not clear if Colm Horgan is fully fit again with the defender not making the match day squad on Friday night, and Conor O’Keeffe took a heavy knock to the head during the game against Bray – although he did manage to finish the game.

FINN HARPS

Harps will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing scoreless draw with Kerry on Friday night in Finn Park.

Dave Rogers’ side failed to find the net for the third time in four games with that draw and they now sit second from bottom, level on points with Longford Town.

Add to that that Galway United have conceded the least amount of goals so far this campaign and anyone would tell you that Harps will find it tough to grab a goal in Eamonn Deacy Park on Monday night.

It would be expected that the quick turnaround to a Monday game should be slightly tougher for Harps – especially when they have a number of bodies possibly not back to full fitness just yet with the Tribesmen riding high they should be capable of getting back to winning ways.

That being said, Harps ran John Caulfield’s men close at the start of the season when United ran out 2-1 winners so Galway will have to do a professional job if they want to set themselves up for a positive week going into the mid-season break.

Referee: Adriano Reale

MATCH STATS

This will be Finn Harps first visit to Eamonn Deacy Park in almost five years with the sides last meeting on the banks of the Corrib on the eighth of June 2018 - the visitors emerged victorious that night.

You have to go back as far as May 2017 for the last time Galway United beat Harps at home, the Tribesmen ran out 2-1 winners with Ronan Murray and Vinny Faherty scoring for the home side.

If United win on Monday night, they will put more than 30 points between themselves and Dave Rogers’ side.

PREDICTION

Galway United 2–0 Finn Harps

Galway United

Injured: Callum McNamara.

Doubtful: Ronan Manning, Colm Horgan.

Suspended: Rob Slevin.

Finn Harps

Injured: Ryan Rainey, Ellis Farrar, Seanie Bradley, Daniel Okwute, Caoimhin Porter.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.