League Preview: Cork City -v- UCD
Cork City celebrating their winner against Dundalk Credit: David Ribeiro (ETPhotos)
CORK CITY
Relegation threatened Cork City welcome basement side UCD to Turner’s Cross on Friday night (kick-off is at 7.45pm).
The Leesiders come into the game off the back of a wretched run of results that seen them plummet down the table.
They are now six points behind eighth-placed Drogheda United and seven behind Sligo Rovers in seventh.
But interim boss Liam Buckley is hoping that his side can rise to the challenge at the foot of the table.
“Drogheda and Sligo Rovers are in a better positions ahead of us,” Buckley told the Irish Independent this week.
“We have to play them and we’ll be looking to win as many as we can and get ourselves safe.
“There's an element of madness that goes with it. We have to go full blown at it and give ourselves a chance to win the game. There are only 10 games left.
“We have to stop the rot somewhere that has got in over the last few games. If we perform well weekly, we'll pick up points.”
UCD
Andy Myler’s side have it all to do if they are to pull off the great escape this season – and it will have to start against Cork City on Friday night.
The Students are 14 points behind Cork City with just ten games to play, so their relegation to the First Division could be confirmed in a matter of weeks.
But they will not give up the ghost without a fight as seen by their recent defeat against Bohemians at Dalymount Park.
Myler’s side made the Gypsies wait until the 75th minute to break the deadlock at Dalymount Park a fortnight ago before losing 2-0.
Yet, there were some positives despite their defeat.
And while it is unlikely that they will be able to reel in City, a positive result against them on Leeside would be a feather in their cap ahead of their impending return to the second-tier.
Referee: Gavin Colfer.
PREDICTION
Cork City 2-0 UCD
Cork City
Injured: N/A.
Doubtful: N/A.
Suspended: None.
UCD
Injured: N/A.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
