League Preview: Cork City -v- UCD

• Andrew Dempsey
• Thu, Mar 02 2023




CORK CITY

Cork City will be seeking their first points of the League of Ireland Premier Division season on Friday night when they host UCD at Turner’s Cross (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Leesiders come into the game after two defeats to Bohemians and Derry City in their first games of the season.

But they will view Friday’s clash against UCD with confidence knowing that a win against the Students is vital if they are to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle this season.

Striker Ethon Varian said: “You have to stay positive and come in every week and work hard.

“We probably had the better chances last Friday against Derry City but the thing is about putting them away. You have to put them away in the Premier Division.

“There is a lot of quality but you just have to be clinical in this division and put teams away when you get the chances.

“There are no easy games in the Premier Division. We will go into the UCD game with our full focus and that will be on getting three points.

“We are away to Shamrock Rovers on Monday but we are only focusing on the Friday against UCD and we will then take care of the next games coming.”

Cork City are expected to be without Cian Murphy for their second home league game of the season.

And there are doubts surrounding the fitness of Matt Healy who missed out on their defeat to Derry City through injury.

UCD

Also winless so far this season, UCD head into Friday’s game at Turner’s Cross knowing that a win could propel them up the table after an encouraging start.

After recording a 1-1 draw to Dundalk on the opening day of the season the Students were narrowly defeated by Sligo Rovers at the Belfield Bowl last week.

But Andy Myler’s side can take solace from the fact they pushed a full-time outfit all the way despite their relative inexperience at Premier Division level.

UCD have not claimed a win against Cork City since 2019 and are winless on Leeside since 2003.

And they are expected to head into Friday’s game against Colin Healy’s side with a near full-strength side. Mikey Raggett is the only expected absentee for the game.

Referee: Sean Grant

 

MATCH STATS

UCD have not claimed a win against Cork City since 2019 and are winless on Leeside since 2003.

Cork City have failed to beat UCD in any of their last three games against the Students. Their last win against the Belfield Boys arrived in 2019 when they won 3-2 at Turner’s Cross.

PREDICTION

Cork City 1 - 2 UCD

 

Cork City

Injured: Cian Murphy.

Doubtful: Matt Healy.

Suspended: None.

 

UCD

Injured: Mikey Raggett.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

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