UCD -v- Cork City
Credit:
UCD
UCD will be hoping to record back to back league victories for the first time this season when they welcome Cork City to Belfield on Friday evening. The Students picked up three vital points last week when they overcame Shelbourne 2-1 at Tolka Park thanks to a late goal by in demand midfielder Paul Corry. The result meant they closed the gap on second bottom Dundalk to just two points.
Last Friday’s win ended a run of seven games without a victory and manager Martin Russell will be hoping his side, like last season can put a run of form together and finish the season strongly as they look to avoid a relegation play-off.
Tomorrow night sees the start of the club’s final round of 10 league fixtures, and The Students will be hoping for a repeat of the opening night of the season, when a Mark Langtry goal secured a 1-0 win for UCD over the Rebels.
There is a big blow for the home side ahead of the game with the news that influential midfielder Paul Corry will miss the game through suspension. The 21-year-old has been heavily linked with a move across the water in recent weeks with Brighton and Sheffield Wednesday just a couple of the clubs interested in his signature. Corry has accumulated four yellow cards and will serve a one game ban which means he could have played his last game for the club if a bid does come in for the Irish U21 international.
He was also an unused sub in Noel King’s sides 1-0 defeat to Turkey during the week and commenting on the achievement, Martin Russell feels it’s just reward: “I would like to congratulate Paul Corry on his inclusion to the U21 international squad, a personal reward for Paul’s fine performances and also for the club and its commitment to the development of its players.”
The UCD boss will once again have to do without injured goal keeper John Kelly, midfielders Chris Mulhall, Tom O’Halloran and Samir Belhout while strikers Graham Rusk and Cillian Morrison are also sidelined. However, Robbie Benson is expected to be fit despite suffering from flu during the week.
Speaking to ucdsoccer.com ahead of the game, Russell knows his side will face a tough test on Friday: “Cork are proving hard to beat to all, but we received a boost last week that we are determined to build on it.”
CORK CITY
Cork City will be hoping to bounce back from Monday’s defeat to St Patrick’s Athletic when they travel to Belfield. After a slow start to the season which included defeats in five of their first seven games, Tommy Dunne’s side have found a near unbeatable formula and went over 100 days without suffering a league loss.
However, a spate of draws mean they lie in eighth position and although they are well clear of the bottom two, manager Tommy Dunne admitted the club coul enter a dogfight unless they manage to get wins on the board, having only managed four to date.
Cork have gone six games without victory and speaking ahead of the game, Tommy Dunne knows his side need a positive result: “It is an important game for us and one we have to try to get a positive result from. As was proved on the opening day of the season, it is a difficult place to go, so we know it will be tough for us.
"Our performances in recent weeks have been quite good, but we have not been getting the results we need, so we will be going up there looking to get the three points," he added.
Colin Healy remains sidelined with a thigh strain that has kept him out in recent weeks, while Neal Horgan is a doubt with a knee problem. Graham McCarthy (ankle) is also a doubt, but Cathal Lordan (knee), Eoghan Murphy (ankle) and Kevin Burns (ankle) are all definitely out. Striker Keigan Parker will be available following suspension.
Referee: Rob Rogers.
MATCH STATS
Cork City have drawn five of their last six away matches in the league.
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in UCD's last seven home games in Airtricity League.
Cork City have won seven of their last eight matches against UCD in all competitions.
BETTING
UCD 9/4; Draw 23/10; Cork City 11/10.
PREDICTION
It will be a close game but with confidence high after last week’s win, I can see the home side edging this one by the odd goal. 2-1 UCD.
UCD Injury News: John Kelly, Chris Mulhall, Tom O’Halloran, Samir Belhout, Graham Rusk.
UCD Suspension News: Paul Corry.
Cork City Injury News: Neal Horgan, Graham McCarthy (both doubtful), Cathal Lordan, Kevin Burns, Eoghan Murphy, Colin Healy.
Cork City Suspension News: None.
