UCD 2 - 2 Longford Town - PREVIEW | 2024 League Of Ireland First Division | extratime.com - The Home of Irish Football

- The UCD Bowl
Referee:

League Preview: UCD -v- Longford Town

Andrew Dempsey
Fri, Oct 18 2024

UCD

UCD welcome Longford Town to the Belfield Bowl on Friday evening in the final regulation league game of the season (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Students officially secured their playoff spot last weekend following a 2-2 draw away to Treaty United at the Markets Field.

But they will be hoping to ensure a second or third-placed finish to set up a home second-leg in a potential playoff on Monday week.

Though they have not won in any of their last four games and have picked up just one victory in their last seven in all competitions.

Willie O’Connor’s men, however, have won all three meetings between the teams this season and will be confident they can secure a clean sweep.

Midfielders Ronan Finn and Adam Verdon are suspended and will miss the game.

LONGFORD TOWN

After securing ninth-place last weekend with a commanding 2-0 victory over Cobh Ramblers, Longford Town visit the Belfield Bowl with little to play for other than pride.

But boss Wayne Groves will be keen to ensure a dismal campaign does not end with another loss on the road.

Longford have only won once on their travels this season – a 1-0 triumph away to Bray Wanderers in July.

Though their home form in recent times has improved significantly with scalps claimed against Bray (1-0), Wexford (3-0) and Cobh Ramblers (2-0).

However, they remain without long-term absentee Luke Wade-Slater on Friday with Mohamed Boudiaf likely to remain out having been forced off early against Cork City in August.

Referee: Oliver Moran.

MATCH STATS

UCD have won all three ties against Longford Town this season by a one-goal margin, twice away (both 2-1) and once at home (1-0).

Longford Town have the second worst away record of any side in the First Division this season – with just eight points claimed on their travels. Only Kerry (7) have less.

The Students have not lost a league match against Longford Town at the UCD Bowl since June 2018 when their then Collie O’Neill-managed side fell to a 5-1 defeat en route to the First Division title that campaign. Longford, however, did defeat the Sky Blues in Belfield in 2020 during their successful play-off run.

PREDICTION

UCD 2-1 Longford Town

UCD

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: Adam Verdon, Ronan Finn.

Longford Town

Injured: Mo Boudiaf, Luke Wade-Slater.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.