League Preview: Waterford -v- Longford Town

• Andrew Dempsey
• Sat, Apr 24 2021




WATERFORD

Waterford will be looking to right the wrongs of their defeat away to St Patrick’s Athletic on Saturday evening as they welcome Longford Town to the RSC (kick-off is at 6pm).

The Blues were easily defeated in Inchicore last time out, being undone by a Darragh Burns deflected effort on goal.

While they remained competitive, Kevin Sheedy’s side failed to create anything of note during the game.

The best they could conjure up was two long-range strikes from Adam O’Reilly that was easily saved by Viteslav Jaros.

Saying that, it was the days after that proved to be the more eventful at the club – with the Blues forced into issuing a statement denying that their management team had left the club.

The statement was released after reports emerged in local media in Waterford that Sheedy and his number two Mike Newell had left the club.

However, that was not the case – and the two will be in charge of Waterford come this evening’s kick-off time.

Waterford have not issued any team news at time of writing.

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford Town will be hoping to rack up their second victory of the season when they visit Waterford at the RSC this evening.

Following Tuesday’s scoreless draw away to Finn Harps, De Town will be hoping to pick up another three points in their quest to stay up in the top-flight.

Waterford – who many expect to be battling it out with De Town to stay up – are the hosts, as Daire Doyle’s charges are looking to find the results their performances deserve.

The Red and Black have not won at the RSC since 2016 – and are winless against Waterford in their current guise, Waterford FC. That win in 2016 was against Waterford United.

Their last league meeting came in 2017, as Waterford lifted the First Division title, a game where Aodh Dervin made his Longford Town debut under then manager Neale Fenn.

Longford have yet to issue team news but are expected to have the same options available as they have had in the last couple of weeks.

Referee: Neil Doyle.

 

MATCH STATS

Longford Town have failed to record a victory over Waterford in their previous four attempts – losing three and drawing once against the Blues since 2017.

Each of Waterford’s last eight games has been settled by a single goal – and they have only won twice during that timeframe.

Longford Town have yet to win away from home in the Premier Division this season – but they can be buoyed following some impressive performances away to Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians.

BETTING

Waterford 9/5; Draw 21/10; Longford Town 7/5.

PREDICTION

Waterford 0 - 2 Longford Town

 

Waterford

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.

 

Longford Town

Injured: Dean Byrne, Dean Zambra, Aaron McNally, Callum Warfield.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.