League Preview: UCD -v- Cobh Ramblers

UCD

UCD are set to remain without Ronan Finn, Alex Dunne and Harvey O’Brien for Monday’s Bank Holiday showdown against Cobh Ramblers at the UCD Bowl (kick-off is at 5pm).

The Students are enjoying a nine-game unbeaten streak at the moment and are just seven points behind league leaders Cork City.

And Friday’s narrow 1-0 win over Longford Town saw them win a third game in a row.

But their boss Willie O’Connor is expecting a tough challenge for his side against Cobh.

“It’s going to be a really difficult game,” O’Connor said. “It was one of the toughest games we had during the first round of games already.

“The last Monday game we had (against Kerry), we weren’t at it.

“We know what we are in for and we know that we have to be at it to get a result.”

COBH RAMBLERS

Cobh Ramblers will be seeking to right the wrongs of their late defeat to UCD earlier this season when they travel to the capital on Monday evening.

Ramblers were 1-0 up against the Students heading into the closing stages of their game earlier this term after Jack Larkin gave them a 64th minute lead.

But injury time hits from Ciaran Behan and Adam Wells stole victory for the Students from the jaws of defeat.

Gary Hunt’s side have impressed and underlined their credentials with a 2-1 win over Bray Wanderers on Friday night.

The Seagulls took an early lead through striker Peter Grogan but goals from Beineon O’Brien-Whitmarsh and Dale Holland completed a come-from-behind win for the Rams.

They also defeated Finn Harps at home a fortnight ago.

Referee: Mark Houlihan.

MATCH STATS

UCD are unbeaten in their last nine league games and have won their last three on the spin. They are just seven points behind league leaders Cork City.

Cobh Ramblers have lost on four of their last five visits to the UCD Bowl, with their most recent victory in Belfield coming in the 2021 season when they won 2-1. They lost 3-2 to the Students in last season’s FAI Cup.

The Students have only failed to find the net in three of their first 13 games this season, with only Treaty United and Cork City (twice) claiming clean sheets against them.

PREDICTION

UCD 2-0 Cobh Ramblers

UCD

Injured: Ronan Finn, Alex Dunne, Harvey O’Brien.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.