Credit:
St. Patrick's Athletic -v- Dundalk
- Frankie Lally
- Thu, May 06 2010
First play second on Friday night as Dundalk travel to Inchicore to take on St Patrick's Athletic in this top of the table Airtricity Premier Division clash (kick-off 7.45).
The Saints fell to their first away league defeat of the season on Monday, when they were beaten 1-0 by UCD and Pete Mahon's men will be looking for a result against the leaders.
Mahon will know that any slip ups from his team will be pounced upon by the trailing pack – Shamrock Rovers, Sporting Fingal and Bohemians are all within touching distance.
Despite Monday's defeat the Saints boss is still delighted with his team's start to the season.
“We want to get back to winning ways but Dundalk are absolutely flying it at the moment so it will be a severe test for us,” Mahon said.
“UCD (on Monday night) was our first away defeat and while it was disappointing I felt we created plenty of chances but simply did not take them,” he explained.
League leaders Dundalk are defiantly the surprise team this year and to be at the summit of the table after 12 games is a magnificent achievement for Ian Foster's men.
However, if the Lillywhites are going to sustain their title bid these are the games they feel they will have to take points from.
Foster is confident in the lead-up to the game, but had the utmost respect and admiration for the Saints.
“They’ve got quality all over the pitch and they've got quality in reserve with the likes of Cash and people who can come in and improve them. It will be a tough game they’re an excellent side,they’ve conceded 5 goals in 12 games.
“They’re obviously very difficult to break down as they proved here [Oriel Park in their previous encounter]. If someone offered me 0-0 now I’d probably take it,” he insisted.
With both teams neck and neck in the table, it should be a tight, tense game. The teams drew 0-0 back in March at Oriel Park and it could very well be something similar on Friday night.
Venue: Richmond Park, Dublin
Paddypower.com Odds: St Patrick's Athletic 6/5, Draw 21/10, Dundalk 2/1
St Patrick's Athletic:
Suspended: None
Injured: Brian Cash (thigh)
Doubtful: None
Dundalk :
Suspended: None
Injured: None
Doubtful: JJ Melligan, (calf) Tom Miler (back)
Referee: D. Hanney
Extratime.ie Prediction: St Patrick's Athletic 1 – 1 Dundalk
About Frankie Lally
Frankie Lally writes for a number of publications. You can contact Frankie on Twitter at @FrankieLally