Dundalk -v- Galway United

• Frankie Lally
• Thu, Sep 24 2009


Dundalk host Galway United this Friday night at Oriel Park as Sean Connor's men look to come closer to securing a mid-table finish. Dundalk currently lie in 5th place, just three points above Galway. Dundalk defender Liam Burns knows the next couple of games will be crucial for the Lillywhites as they look to widen the gap between themselves and the bottom half of the table.

“The next three or four games are massive for us, because we’re playing the teams around us. Burns told Dundalkfc.com. “It’s important that we pick up points, because we don’t want to get dragged back into a relegation battle. The mood in the dressing room is very good after last week’s disappointing result. We have got a few people back from suspension this week and training has been good all week - there has been a high tempo to it - so we’re all looking forward to Friday’s game.”

Both teams go into the game with contrasting form. Dundalk have only won one game out of seven in all competitions recently while Galway have beaten Derry City City and St Patrick's Athletic and lost 4-2 to Cork City in their last three games.

However Dundalk can be optimistic having beaten Galway in four of their last five encounters. Incidentally Galway have not won at Oriel since April 2004 and are also without a Premier Division victory at the venue since March 31st, 1987.

Team news
Dundalk: Liam Burns, Michael Daly and Darren Mansaram all return from suspension but they will be without Mickey Collins as he serves an automatic ban while Tiarnán Mulvenna is doubtful. (quad strain)

Galway United: Galway will be without the injured Iarfhlaith Davoren (hamstring) and the suspended Shane Guthrie. Guthrie must now serve an additional two game ban due to his recent sending off against Shamrock Rovers. However, Cian McBrien, Dave Cooke, Jason Molloy and Sean Kelly all return from suspension.

Kick off at Oriel Park is 7.45pm

Extratime.ie Prediction: With both sides neck and neck in the table and desperate for points I would expect an entertaining game. An evenly matched, 2-2 draw.