Wexford Youths -v- Limerick FC

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Wexford boss Shane Keegan will be without Paul Malone and Shane Nolan who are both suspended for this fixture but, apart from that, he has an injury free squad to choose from. 

The former FC Carlow manager has succeeded in turning Wexford’s fortunes around, to such an extent that they enter the weekend in second place in the First Division table, just three points shy of table-toppers Longford Town.

The Youths are also looking to extend their winning streak to four, having beaten Athlone, Mervue and Finn Harps in recent weeks. But Keegan knows that Pat Scully’s Limerick side  represent formidable opposition despite the fact that they have not yet lived up to their pre-season expectations.

Speaking to the Wexford club website Keegan said, “I know they (Limerick) have lost two games but at the same time they are not picking up draws and they are not dropping a huge amount of points, the two games they have lost have been against teams that would have been deemed their biggest rivals anyway. I think that over the balance of the season I would be absolutely amazed if they didn’t come out on top anyway”.

LIMERICK FC

Limerick were widely expected to romp to the First Division title before this season started but the early exchanges have brought a touch of reality to people’s perceptions of the Shannonsider’s. Pat Scully’s men have lost two of their opening six league games but they enter the weekend in third place in the Airtricity First Division table, four points behind the leaders Longford Town.

Defeats away to Waterford United, and at home to Longford, have helped to puncture the pre-season myth that Limerick’s strong squad would sweep all before them but four league wins means that they are well placed to apply pressure on the early leaders. A comprehensive 3-0 EA Sports Cup win against Premier Division strugglers Cork City on Monday might also be a sign that Scully’s charges are beginning to find their rhythm.

Defeat against Longford last week ended a three game winning streak and Wexford will provide strong opposition this weekend, but Limerick will know that they are involved in a marathon, not a sprint, and three points on Friday night would keep them right up with the leading pack.

Referee: Phil Caschera.

MATCH STATS

Wexford have only lost once in the league this season, but that defeat came at Ferrycarrig Park when the Youths went down to First Division leaders Longford Town.

Wexford won the first of the meetings between these sides last season, but went on the lose the next two games, 3-2 and 6-0.

Limerick have scored in all six of their league games to date, but they have kept only two clean sheets, against SD Galway and Athlone Town.

BETTING

Wexford 9/2; Draw 5/2; Limerick 4/7.

PREDICTION

It feels churlish to dismiss Wexford’s terrific early season form, so I won’t. A 2-2 draw.

Wexford Injury News: None.

Wexford Suspension News: Paul Malone, Shane Nolan.

Limerick Injury News: Unavailable.

Limerick Suspension News: None.