League Preview: Waterford -v- UCD

• Andrew Dempsey
• Fri, Oct 25 2019




WATERFORD

Alan Reynolds’ Blues welcome UCD to the RSC for their final league game of the Premier Division season on Friday evening (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Blues have struggled to live up to the hype they created last term, lying in 7^th position behind Sligo Rovers.

The visit of already relegated UCD provides Waterford with a chance to leapfrog Sligo in 6^th, with the Bit O’Red facing a trip to Bohemians at Dalymount Park.

Speaking ahead of the game with his club’s media team, Waterford boss Reynolds admits he is hoping to finish the campaign off on a high.

“It’s the final match of a season that we’ve seen plenty of ups and downs but we’re looking to finish on a high.

“I fully expect Maciej and UCD to have a good go at us on Friday night, there’s nothing to lose for them but we want to win and finish the season in the good form of the past few weeks.

“UCD have beaten us already this season and the other two games were tight contests so we’re not taking anything for granted and we’re preparing like we always do.”

Kenny Browne remains out through injury while the Blues are also expected to be without Georgie Poynton, Paul Martin, Cory Galvin and Sam Bone.

UCD

After their relegation was confirmed last week, UCD make the trip to face Waterford at the RSC in their final league outing of 2019.

The Students boss Maciej Tarnogrodzki remains unsure on his future as first-team boss at Belfield, along with the future of the future of some of his more experienced campaigners.  

“There’s still one game to play with Waterford next weekend and then we’ll see what’s going to happen.

“I think I have been ready for the first-team for a while now, but it was just about getting this opportunity.

“I wanted to move on a develop myself and it doesn’t happen that often in Ireland, or even in other leagues in Europe as the majority of youth coaches don’t progress to the first team.

“You can see that in the bigger leagues in Germany or Spain so, for my development I want to move on and work with the first team.”

“I don’t know exactly (about the older players) because there’s going to be a couple of lads finishing college.  

“They will probably move on, but we will know more in the next couple of weeks or months for sure."

UCD have not released any team news ahead of their final league game of the season – but Tarnogrodzki is expected to ring the changes as they look to build for the 2020 First Division campaign.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer.  

 

MATCH STATS

UCD are winless in the league since July, when they defeated Bohemians at the UCD Bowl.

The Students have registered two clean sheets from their previous three away league outings, against both Finn Harps and St Patrick’s Athletic.

Waterford secured victory on their previous home league outing over Sligo Rovers, with a two-nil over the Bit O’Red at the RSC.

BETTING

Waterford 1/4; Draw 4/1; UCD 8/1.

PREDICTION

Waterford 2 - 0 UCD.

 

Waterford

Injured: Kenny Browne.

Doubtful: George Poynton, Paul Martin, Cory Galvin, Sam Bone.

Suspended: None.

 

UCD

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: None.