League Preview: Galway United -v- Dundalk

GALWAY UNITED

With just one Premier Division game scheduled for Friday night, Galway United have a chance to heap pressure on the top of the table when they host Dundalk at Eamonn Deacy Park (kick-off 7.45pm).

Granted other teams will have games at hand, but a win tomorrow night would put John Caulfield’s men into second place in the Premier Division and just two points off the top of the table.

The Tribesmen showed real grit in their last game with a 2-1 win over Waterford away from home last weekend.

They had a disastrous start as Dean McMenamy put the Blues ahead early on. Brendan Clarke had to save a penalty in the opening ten minutes too.

Second half goals from Stephen Walsh and Killian Brouder sent the Maroon Army home happy however.

That result had the visiting fans to the RSC semi-ironically chanting that they are going to win the league. It would be a huge ask but Galway are definitely in the mix at the top of the table – and at the very least they have a great shot at European football next season.

It’s interesting sometimes to look at how fickle football can be and how quickly fortunes can change.

In October 2017 Dundalk beat Galway United 4-3 at Deacy Park to confirm the Tribesmen’s exit from the Premier Division, just six years later Galway could all but relegate the Lilywhites on Friday night.

DUNDALK

It’s been a challenging year for Dundalk on and off the pitch this season, the previous week has been no exception after the passing of devoted Lilywhite Mark 'Maxi' Kavanagh who was well known across the League of Ireland.

Last Friday night saw Dundalk slip to their fifth Premier Division defeat in a row with Dawson Devoy and Adam McDonnell scoring for Bohemians at Oriel Park.

That loss sees Jon Daly’s side remain bottom of the Premier Division, but they are now eight points behind ninth place Drogheda United with just four games to go.

Time is certainly running out for the Lilywhites this season, and having lost the three previous meetings with the Tribesmen this season the odds seem to be stacked against them.

The Tribesmen will have to tread carefully however, Dundalk are at a point that they have nothing to lose in games and although their form has been poor of late they have remained competitive against most teams.

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea

MATCH STATS

Galway United have beaten Dundalk three times this season.

The Lilywhites will be on the brink of relegation with a loss on Friday night – they will be eight points behind Drogheda United with just nine points left to play for.

Dundalk last beat Galway United in October 2017, the night Galway United were relegated to the First Division.

BETTING

Galway United 1/2; Draw 14/5; Dundalk 11/2.

PREDICTION

Galway United 1–0 Dundalk

Galway United

Injured: Maurice Nugent.

Doubtful: Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe.

Suspended: None.

Dundalk

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.