League Preview: Waterford -v- Galway United

WATERFORD

Waterford will be hoping to build on last weekend’s win over Bohemians when they host Galway United at the RSC (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Blues ran out 1-0 winners at Dalymount Park on Keith Long’s return to the Dublin 7 venue.

And since then, Long has been able to add assistant manager Matt Lawlor to his coaching staff following Alan Reynolds’ departure last month.

Lawlor has joined on an interim basis and has previously served as Fleetwood Town’s caretaker manager last year.

“Matt is a highly regarded coach within the Fleetwood Football Group, and I’m delighted to have him here,” Long said.

“I’ve met Matt on several occasions on my visits to Fleetwood, and we’re very-much aligned in-terms of how we see the game.

“I feel he is a young but experienced coach – a highly regarded coach from both a management point of view and also with the players he’s worked with.”

Cameron Cresswell and Barry Baggley will miss Lawlor’s first game in the dugout on Friday night through injury.

GALWAY UNITED

Galway United will be hoping to avoid the effects of ring rust when they return to league action against the Blues.

The Tribesmen’s visit to Sligo Rovers last weekend was postponed due to the effects of Storm Kathleen on the North-West coast.

And while the storm was not as bad as initially feared, it did at least give United boss John Caulfield an opportunity to rest his players ahead of their trip to the South-East.

Galway also possess an impressive record at the RSC recently, having only lost there once in their last four visits.

They drew and won at the venue last season en-route to claiming the First Division title.

Referee: Paul Norton.

PREDICTION

Waterford 2-1 Galway United

Waterford

Injured: Barry Baggley, Cameron Cresswell.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Galway United

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.