League Preview: Athlone Town -v- Galway United

ATHLONE TOWN

It has been another tough season for the Midlands club and their current form reflects it. The side have not won a First Division game in seven attempts, with their last victory coming over Wexford in June.

Terry Butler’s side will be looking to get a result in their last game of the season after defeats away to Cabinteely and Drogheda United in their last two games, with their last points coming away from home against Limerick in a score draw on August 16^th.

To add to their misery, Galway United have been putting together a string of decent results over the last month and a half and will no doubt be looking to finish their season with a win when they visit Lissywoolen on Saturday night (kick off 7.45pm).

That being said the club will no doubt be happy that they’ll avoid finishing bottom of the First Division for the first time since 2015, going into the last game of the season six points ahead of last place Wexford.

GALWAY UNITED

The Tribesmen will be confident going into their last game of the season when they make the short trip up the M6 to face Athlone Town.

Last week’s 3-2 win over Limerick, featuring a last minute winner from Conor Barry means the side have won three league games in a row for the first time this season having smashed Cobh Ramblers 7-1 and beaten Cabinteely away 1-0.

Barry has only recently returned to full fitness and the midfielder is back to his old self and showing a great run of form on the field. Jack Lynch too, a mid season signing at Galway has been a revelation since joining and with himself, and Killian Brouder, added to the back line United look like a different team.

A good run in the cup which saw the side dump Premier Division outfit Cork City from the competition and only get knocked out themselves due to a last minute winner against Shamrock Rovers shows signs of United finally turning a corner this season.

Alas it is probably a case of the season coming to a close at the wrong time for this team.

Referee: xxx

MATCH STATS

The Tribesmen have won five of their last six games in all competitions, including a victory over Premier Division Cork City.

Athlone have failed to beat Galway in each of their three meetings so far this year. In the EA Sports Cup Athlone were defeated 1-2, later in the season Galway trounced them 0-4, again in Lisywoolen and the sides played out a 1-1 draw in Eamonn Deacy Park.

Athlone Town have avoided finishing bottom of the First Division for the first time since 2015.

BETTING

Athlone Town 13/5; Draw 11/4; Galway United 4/5.

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 0 - 3 Galway United

Athlone Town

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Galway United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.