League Preview: Cabinteely -v- Athlone Town

CABINTEELY

After three successive defeats, Cabinteely will be looking to get back to winning ways this weekend when they host Athlone Town at Stradbrook on Friday evening (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Green and Whites have only scored once in their previous four games, and they have conceded a tally of 13 goals in the same amount of games.

They come into the game off the back of a heavy five-one defeat away to Drogheda United at United Park.

Paul Fox’s free-kick gave Cabo an early lead but they were to eventually succumb to a heavy defeat on Boyneside.

However, their manager Pat Devlin is hoping for a different game and outcome this weekend: “Every game in football is different,” he told his club’s media team.

“Results have not been going our way. We have never, ever had it easy against Athlone. It’s going to be very interesting from both clubs’ points of view.”

He added “It would be nice to change the result and get a win. That is what we must do. That is what we have to put the emphasis on.”

In terms of team news for Cabinteely, Kevin Knight returns from suspension after missing out on the previous three games.

ATHLONE TOWN

Adrian Carberry’s emerging Athlone Town side will be hoping to deal a potentially fatal blow to Cabinteely’s title challenge this weekend when they make the visit to Stradbrook on Friday.

Athlone are winless at Stradbrook since 2015 – with Cabo dominating much of the success in this fixture over previous years.

Carberry’s young guns have impressed at times this year – but they have been often punished by a porous defence thus far.

Athlone have already conceded 29 goals in the league this season – meaning that they have lost eight of their previous ten league outings in 2020.

In their previous four league games, they have conceded a total of 13 goals – with their heaviest defeat coming at home to Shamrock Rovers II two weeks ago.

However, they are a threat going forward – with players like Ronan Manning, Lee Duffy and on-loan Dundalk star Taner Dogan coming to the fore in recent weeks.

They will be bolstered this weekend by the return of Lee Duffy to the starting side after he served a recent suspension.

Athlone have yet to release further team news ahead of their trip to the capital.

Referee: Oliver Moran.

MATCH STATS

Athlone Town have failed to win at Stradbrook since October 2015 when they defeated Cabo by three goals to one at the South Dublin venue.

Cabinteely have won 13 of the side’s 19 previous games since 2015, with Athlone winning just the three.

Athlone have not won a league game since July 2019 when they saw off Wexford by three goals to one at Lissywoolen.

BETTING

Cabinteely 1/7; Draw 5/1; Athlone Town 12/1.

PREDICTION

Cabinteely 2 - 1 Athlone Town

Cabinteely

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.

Athlone Town

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.