Athlone Town -v- Waterford United

ATHLONE TOWN

The battle for play-off positions begins in earnest in Lissywoollen on Friday night as fourth placed Athlone attempt to overhaul Waterford United who currently sit one place, and one point, above them in the league.

To do so means they will have to defeat the Blues for the first time since 2002 and improve on the performance in the first meeting of the sides this season when they battled to a draw despite playing the majority of the game with ten men.

The Midlanders entered the mid-season break in decent form- winning three out of their last four league encounters- which propelled them above Wexford Youths who they defeated in their last league game before the break.

This was a huge result as Mick Kerley had to contend with a long list of injuries as well as the unavailability of Stephen Relihan, Garvan Broughall and Scott Gaynor who are spending the summer in the USA.

They will again be missed for the visit of Waterford, as will Ross Kenny, Mark Walsh and the long term injured Paul Danaher, while Brian Gill also sits this one out through suspension for yellow cards received.

They will be boosted by the return of Eric Molloy who has spent a number of seasons away from the senior game and will look to shore up their depleted squad if his registration comes through in time.

WATERFORD UNITED

Waterford United will look to continue the pre-break form that seen them suffer only one defeat in their last nine matches and continue a run of three wins in-a-row.  

With Longford and Limerick seemingly poised to battle it out for the top two spots, the Blues could gain a march on their closest rivals for that all important second play-off berth in their next two fixtures.

To achieve that they will have to gain two away victories as they journey first to the midlands before taking on local rivals, Wexford Youths, in Ferrycarrig Park.

Paul O’Brien will have factor without Willie John Kiely for the trip to Athlone as the match has come just too soon for the striker but the return of defenders John Frost, Paul Carey and striker Daragh Walshe will give the manager cause for optimism.

Referee: Ray Mathews

MATCH STATS

Athlone have not defeated Waterford United on home soil since December 1st 2001 when a solitary Conor Frawley goal was enough to secure all three points.

Athlone Town are the First Division’s joint lowest goalscorers at home having only found the net seven times at Lissywoollen in the league.

In the 1-1 draw back in April, Noel McGee scored for Athlone before being sent off. The same happened in March of 2009 when Waterford went on to win 2-1.

BETTING 
Athlone Town 15/8; Draw 11/5; Waterford United 6/5

PREDICTION 
Athlone Town 1-1 Waterford United

Athlone Town Injury News: Paul Danaher, Mark Walsh, Ross Kenny

Athlone Town Suspensions: Brian Gill

Waterford United Injury News: Willie John Kiely, Gary Dunphy

Waterford United Suspensions: None