League Preview: Cabinteely -v- Cobh Ramblers

CABINTEELY

First Division league leaders Cabinteely play host to playoff hunting Cobh Ramblers on Friday evening (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

Cabo come into the Friday night showdown with a point to prove after being held to a scoreless draw away to Wexford last weekend.

However, the Green and Whites will take positives from the game as they still earned a point despite having a heavily depleted squad on the injury front.

To compound matters last week, captain Conor Keeley and midfielder Vilius Labutis were both forced off injured in the warm-up prior to kick-off.

However, manager Pat Devlin will be hopeful that he can draw on home comforts after going over 160 days without a home league game.

“It has been a long time since March without a home fixture,” Devlin told his club’s media team. “We are looking forward to the game. Cobh are tough opposition; we have never had it easy against them.

“We have a lot of injuries. But we are looking forward to being back at Stradbrook. But unfortunately, with no crowd.”

Cabo are expected to be without a number of first-team regulars ahead of Friday evening’s clash against Cobh Ramblers.

COBH RAMBLERS

After holding Galway United to a 2-2 draw on Saturday evening last weekend, Stuart Ashton’s young Cobh side travel to take on league leaders Cabinteely on Friday evening at Stradbrook.

The Rams levelled late on through Charlie Lyons – after they had taken the lead just after the hour mark.

However, despite their strong performance – Ashton is wary of the challenge that Cabinteely pose to Cobh.

“They’re the in-form team, they’ve hit the ground running and are unbeaten all season. As always when go up there, we expect a challenging game,” He told his club’s media team.

“They are well organised under Pat Devlin and know their system, we have to go up there and try and upset the apple cart.

“We can take lots of positives from last week and we’ll learn from our small lapses in concentration.

“If we can do that we’ll be in good shape. The lads have their lowdown on what needs to be done and let’s see if we can give them a good game.”

And Captain Pierce Phillips added: “It’ll be a more direct game compared to the last two that we played.

“We’ve set up for that with the video analysis this week. It’ll be tough but we want three points and that’s what we hope that we’ll come away with.”

In terms of team news, Ben O’Riordan and Kevin Taylor are both available for Cobh after missing out recently, while Greg Henry is expected to feature after picking up a knock last week.

Referee: Rob Dowling.

MATCH STATS

Cabinteely remain unbeaten in the 2020 First Division after picking up 13 points from a possible 15 on offer.

Cobh Ramblers last win at Stradbrook came in March 2019 when they earned a 1-0 win. Adam O’Sullivan’s 30th minute strike was enough to earn the Rams all three points.

Since entering the League of Ireland back in 2015, Cobh have provided Cabinteely’s opposition a record 18 times. The Rams have won nine matches while Cabo have won six themselves.

BETTING

Cabinteely 8/13; Draw 11/4; Cobh Ramblers 7/2.

PREDICTION

Cabinteely 0 - 0 Cobh Ramblers

Cabinteely

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Greg Henry.

Suspended: None.