Wexford Youths -v- Mervue United

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Fifth placed Wexford Youths host struggling Mervue United in the sides’ third Airtricity First Division clash this season on Friday night in Ferrycarrig Park.

It’s honours even between the teams with each side winning their home encounter. However since Wexford’s 3-0 loss to Mervue in mid-May (and despite their superior league standing), Wexford Youths have struggled.

Their last league win was way back on May 11^th when they overcame Finn Harps 3-0. The following week Shane Keegan’s charges lost away to Mervue and the Youths have been struggling ever since.

They have managed to draw their last three games on the bounce though which they can take some solace from. But they will need to start grinding out wins if they are to have any chance of catching Athlone Town who lie above them in the league table.

There is some good news for manager Keegan this week in that he has a full squad to pick from this week with no injury or suspension concerns. Speaking midweek, Keegan praised Mervue who believes have proven their metal this season.

“They have turned it around, I think they have been a little bit unlucky with their results since they came back from the back, and they were unlucky with injuries and suspensions. I went to see them last Friday night, they had everybody back and they were really good value for their 2-0 win.”

MERVUE UNITED

The visitors go into this one 11 points behind Wexford but will be hopeful of notching back-to-back wins for the third time this term. Interestingly, the last time the Galway side won two-in-a-row the run was kick-started by that 3-0 win over Friday night’s opponents.

Last time out, Mervue overcame fourth place Athlone Town 2-0 with goals from Tom King and Stephen Walshe, his very first for the club, on the night.

While Mervue have had a bit of a hoodoo over Wexford in recent years, Johnny Glynn will have to do without the service of a number of players. Goalkeeper Ronan Forde (fractured finger), midfielder Shane Keogh and defender Kenny Farrell (ankle) all remain on the sidelines while James Casserly left for America earlier in the week.

New signing Cian McBrien could be added to the squad.

Glynn was talking up Wexford’s chances midweek. “Shane Keegan has done a very good job with Wexford this season”, he said. “They are having a good campaign so this will be another tough one for us, but we will go down there looking for a positive result.”

Referee: Adriano Reale.

MATCH STATS

Mervue have won three out of the last four games against Wexford – all on a 3-0 score line.

The two previous meetings between these sides have been fiery encounter with eight yellow cards and a red card produced over the two fixtures.

Wexford’s Tom Elmes leads the top scorers list for the Airtricity First Division with nine goals, as we move into the second half of the campaign. For the visitors, Pat Hoban has been most prolific with seven league and cup goals.

BETTING

Wexford Youths 10/11; Draw 12/5; Mervue United 13/5.

PREDICTION

Due to Mervue’s injury concerns and Wexford’s tight defending of late, I’ll go with a 1-1 draw.

Home Injury News: None.

Home Suspension News: None.

Away Injury News: Ronan Forde (finger), Shane Keogh, Kenny Farrell (ankle).

Away Suspension News: None.