League Preview: Galway United -v- Waterford

GALWAY UNITED

The two newly promoted sides face off for the first time this season when Galway United host Waterford at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

United claimed their first win of the season when they faced Dundalk at Oriel Park last Friday night.

John Caulfield’s men claimed the club’s first win in Oriel Park since 2005 when they ran out 2-0 winners.

The Tribesmen outclassed their opponents on the night with Ed McCarthy and Aodh Dervin scoring for Galway to claim the three points.

Galway faced Waterford four times last year and went unbeaten, taking ten points from those games as they went on to win the First Division but it will be a very different Blues side that come to Galway this time around.

“Waterford have got four points on the board, we have three, we played them last year a number of times and our record against them last year was good,” Caulfield said, speaking to Galway Bay FM ahead of Friday night.

“They’ve brought in a lot of new players, particularly from Fleetwood and it’s another big challenge for us on Friday night. But again, it’s another home game and I keep saying we have to try and make our home form count.”

In team news, Stephen Walsh is absent through suspension again on Friday night, he is also set to miss Galway’s game against Shelbourne on Monday.

WATERFORD

The Blues have had a great start to the season with four points from their opening two games, including a valuable point against Damien Duff’s Shelbourne on the opening day of the season.

Last weekend they ran out 4-1 winners against Drogheda United during their first away game of the season.

Keith Long’s men had to come from behind as Drogheda went in front in the 13^th minute but goals from Darragh Leahy and Nial O’Keeffe gave them a 2-1 lead into half time.

Leahy scored his second of the game just after the hour mark with Padraig Amond netting in the 71^st minute to round out the scoring.

“They ran away with the league last year, there wasn’t really anyone close to catching them,” Niall O’Keeffe said, speaking to the club’s media team.

“It’s a different season now, we’ll give them their respect but they’re a tough side. We’ll go up there with our game plan that hopefully will counter what they want to do. We’ll have no fear going up there.”

In team news Connor Evans is unavailable after picking up a knock in training. Christie Pattisson is away on compassionate leave. Harvey MacAdam comes into the squad after joining the Blues on loan last week from sister-club Fleetwood Town.

Referee: Alan Patchell

MATCH STATS

United and Waterford faced each other four times last year with Galway winning three times and the side drawing once.

The last time Waterford won in Eamonn Deacy Park was in August 2007.

Waterford’s Padraig Amond’s most recent goal against Galway United came during a 3-0 win for Sligo Rovers over the Tribesmen way back in 2010.

BETTING

Galway United 10/11; Draw 5/2; Waterford 13/5.

PREDICTION

Galway United 1–1 Waterford

Galway United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Wassim Aouachria, Garry Buckley.

Suspended: Stephen Walsh.

Waterford

Injured: Connor Evans.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.