League Preview: Waterford -v- St Patrick's Athletic

WATERFORD

Waterford and St Patrick’s Athletic are both aiming to return to winning ways when they meet at the RSC in the second match of an intense, three-game week. 

The Blues, promoted up from the First Division, have accrued four points from their opening three league games to sit fourth.  

Their first home game here ended in a draw with European-chasing Shelbourne before Waterford claimed their first win, a stunning thrashing of Drogheda United.  That was followed by last Friday’s narrow loss at fellow promoted side, Galway United. 

Waterford led at Eamonn Deacy Park through Padraig Amond’s smartly taken second goal for the club.   A second half comeback by the Tribsemen, though, condemned Keith Long’s team to a first loss of the campaign.  Despite that, it has been a steady start to Premier Division life by the Blues after three fixtures. 

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

Jon Daly’s squad arrive at the RSC on the back of successive, one-goal league defeats.  Both were inflicted late on as Bohemians won late at Richmond Park through a Jordan Flores penalty in the eighty-fifth minute. 

Then, after being put ahead by striker, Ruari Keating’s first goal for The Athletic, Pat’s were beaten by Derry City as Pat Hoban and Danny Mullen clinched a dramatic three points for the Candystripes to leave the Saints empty-handed. 

Daly’s men do, at least, have one win to their name, the opening night victory over Galway United, thanks to Jamie Lennon’s winner.  They’ll be looking to him and Keating for goals once again but could do with new attackers gelling quickly to build some points up.

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan.

Match Stats:

These teams last met in the league back in June 2021 when Shane Griffin’s equaliser earned Waterford a point. 

Waterford have scored in every league game so far this season.

St Pat’s midfielder, Jason McClelland made his one-hundredth, centurion appearance as a substitute last time out against Derry City. 

Betting: Home win 37%.  Draw 13%.  Away win 50%. 

Prediction: Waterford 2-2 St Patrick’s Athletic.

Waterford

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Connor Evans. 

Suspended: None.

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Tom Grivosti. 

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.