Dundalk -v- UCD
Credit:
Dundalk welcome UCD to Oriel Park this Friday evening (kick off 7.45pm) as both teams look to keep up their encouraging starts to the league season.
Dundalk have started the season well under Ian foster and currently lie fourth in the table having played five games. Two victories against Bray Wanderers and Shamrock Rovers, both away from home, and three draws against Drogheda United, St Pats and Sligo Rovers leave Dundalk with nine points, just three points off the top and with a game in hand.
UCD’s return to the Premier Division has begun positively with two wins under their belts for Martin Russell’s young side. Two wins, two draws and two loses have given UCD eight points from their opening six games.
An opening day win against Drogheda was followed by two defeats, to Bohs and St Pats. UCD have recovered well picking up a point in Tallaght Stadium and against Galway in the UCD Bowl.
“Grass is always first choice”, UCD manager Martin Russell said. “But I’d prefer a good artificial surface to some of the poor quality, bobbly grass pitches around at this stage of the season. We train on astro and these surfaces have improved immensely since they were first introduced.”
Former Finn Harps striker Sean Houston comes into the squad and Chris Mulhall, recently missing with a dead leg, is also in contention for a place. Keeper Billy Brennan got a knock in last week’s game but is fit to continue with Ger Barron, recovered from his pre-season injury, likely to be on the bench.
Venue: Oriel Park
Referee: D. Hancock
paddypower.com odds: Dundalk 10/11 Draw 9/4 UCD 3/1
Dundalk
No team news available.
UCD
Doubtful: None
Injured: None
Suspended: None
Extratime.ie Prediction: Dundalk to win 2-1
Dundalk have started the season well under Ian foster and currently lie fourth in the table having played five games. Two victories against Bray Wanderers and Shamrock Rovers, both away from home, and three draws against Drogheda United, St Pats and Sligo Rovers leave Dundalk with nine points, just three points off the top and with a game in hand.
UCD’s return to the Premier Division has begun positively with two wins under their belts for Martin Russell’s young side. Two wins, two draws and two loses have given UCD eight points from their opening six games.
An opening day win against Drogheda was followed by two defeats, to Bohs and St Pats. UCD have recovered well picking up a point in Tallaght Stadium and against Galway in the UCD Bowl.
“Grass is always first choice”, UCD manager Martin Russell said. “But I’d prefer a good artificial surface to some of the poor quality, bobbly grass pitches around at this stage of the season. We train on astro and these surfaces have improved immensely since they were first introduced.”
Former Finn Harps striker Sean Houston comes into the squad and Chris Mulhall, recently missing with a dead leg, is also in contention for a place. Keeper Billy Brennan got a knock in last week’s game but is fit to continue with Ger Barron, recovered from his pre-season injury, likely to be on the bench.
Venue: Oriel Park
Referee: D. Hancock
paddypower.com odds: Dundalk 10/11 Draw 9/4 UCD 3/1
Dundalk
No team news available.
UCD
Doubtful: None
Injured: None
Suspended: None
Extratime.ie Prediction: Dundalk to win 2-1
