League Preview: Waterford United -v- Limerick

• Adrian Finnin
• Fri, Jul 08 2016



Waterford United entertain Limerick FC at the Regional Sports Centre on Friday evening with the aim of improving their league position of sixth placed. Kick off, 7:45pm. 
 
WATERFORD UNITED
Although it has been a relatively poor season for the Blues, the club are only seven points adrift of second place Drogheda United following an impressive run of four wins in six league games since May 6th.
 
Three of those wins were collected at the RSC and Roddy Collins will certainly be hoping for a spirited display against the runaway league leaders this coming Friday. The mid-season addition of experienced central midfielder Robert Bayly will add a much needed boost to a youthful Waterford side. 
 
Last week’s defeat to Drogheda was a setback as it widened the gap between the two teams in the table. However, Waterford did not lose any ground on UCD who now occupy the final play-off spot.
 
As well as the signing of Bayly, the Blues have added Cory Galvin, Mike Rowe and David Osario to the playing staff. The Waterford faithful will be hoping that the new faces can settle in quickly and improve consistency, something which has been a problem all season long. 
 
Limerick triumphed 5-2 at the RSC in March and Collins will be seeking a much improved defensive display to have any chance of picking up three points from this clash. James O’Brien will be a key player for the home side and has scored three goals against Limerick this season. 
 
 
LIMERICK 
Limerick FC travel to the RSC with a 17-point lead in the First Division following last week’s 4-3 home win over UCD. However, the Super Blues looked unusually fragile at the back as they leaked three goals for the first time at the Market's Field this season. The performances of the front trio of Aaron Greene, Chris Mulhall and Stephan Kenny provided the platform for the hard fought win. 
 
Speaking to limerickfc.ie after last week’s game, Limerick striker Chris Mulhall felt that his team may have answered recent criticism of their performances with the manner of the victory. “Maybe people have questioned us for the last couple of weeks saying we are coasting through games. I would like to think we answered those critics tonight.”
 
Mulhall continued to praise the desire within the squad and insisted that they are motivated by the challenge of going unbeaten for as long as possible.
 
“It showed we have hunger to go unbeaten; we want to win the league as quickly as possible.”
 
Limerick will hope to emulate the scoreline and performance from the early season trip to the RSC where the Shannonsiders came away with a comfortable 5-2 victory. 
 
Referee: Sean Grant.
 
 
MATCH STATS
Limerick have been victorious in both previous meetings this season by three goals or more. The Shannonsiders won 7-2 in the reverse fixture two months ago when Waterford appeared to be at their lowest point as a club. 
 
As previously mentioned, Limerick left the RSC with all three points earlier in the season. However, Limerick’s record at the RSC in the last decade has been poor. During the 2012 campaign, Limerick lost on all four occasions to Waterford. 
 
Limerick have only conceded six goals away from home in the First Division this season, while Waterford on paper have netted 14 league goals at the RSC – three of those came from the 3-0 victory they were awarded when Athlone Town failed to field a team against them in early June.
 
 
BETTING
Waterford United 10/1; Draw 5/1; Limerick 1/5.
 
 
PREDICTION
Waterford United 1-3 Limerick.
 
 
Waterford
Injured: Unknown.
Doubtful: Unknown.
Suspended: None.
 
Limerick
Injured: Seamus Sharkey, Shane Duggan.
Doubtful: Garbhan Coughlan, Paudie O’Connor.
Suspended: Robbie Williams.