Longford Town -v- Waterford United

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Longford Town welcome promotion chasing Waterford United to Flancare Park this Friday evening having beaten the Munster men twice this season already. Kick-Off 8pm.

The home side come into the game on the back of a 0-0 draw away to Athlone Town in the last midlands derby of the season. Waterford United continued their promotion push last weekend with a 3-1 win at home to Finn Harps with goals from Vinny Sullivan and Paul Murphy (2). Longford Town have failed to win in any of their last eight games while the Blues have lost just once in their last eight games.

Tony Cousins will have to plan without Philip Byrne who is suspended. Niall O'Reilly (knee) and Derek Glynn (toe) both miss the game through injury. Craig Walsh returns to the squad after returning from Republic of Ireland U-19 duty. Walsh also scored against Luxemburg last week.

Waterford United are without just one player for the trip to Flancare Park with full-back Alan Carey suspended after collecting four yellow cards. Willie John Kiely returns after suspension last weekend but Paul Murphy’s two goals against Finn Harps leave boss Stephen Henderson with plenty of attacking options.

Manager Stephen Henderson was happy that his side got back to winning ways last weekend. “We won and that’s the most important thing; some of it was good, some of it wasn’t. Very difficult conditions with a gale force wind but we tried to do it the right way and at times we were very good. I was really disappointed with the conceding of the goal because goal difference could play a part. We created an awful lot of chances, scored three great goals, but it could have had six of seven.”

Looking to the Longford Town match, Henderson knows that it’s going to be a tough game. “Historically in the cup they tend to get the better of us, but in the league I think we’re okay. They are the type of team that will raise their game and we’re going to have to be prepared for that. It’s going to be a very tough match because they’ll raise their game for us”, he said.

The sides have met three times this season already. Waterford Utd won 2-0 in the RSC but Longford have won both of the meetings in Flancare Park with 2-1 and 1-0 wins that should give Longford confidence going into the game.

Venue: Flancare Park
Referee: J. McKell
paddypower.com odds: Longford Town 9/2 Draw 12/5 Waterford United 4/7

Longford Town
Doubtful: None
Injured: Niall O'Reilly, Derek Glynn
Suspended: Philip Byrne

Waterford United
Doubtful: None
Injured: None
Suspended: Alan Carey

Extratime.ie Prediction: Waterford United need the win to stay in the play-off spot and should just have enough for the win against their bogey side.