League Preview: Longford Town -v- UCD

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford Town will be hoping to produce a reaction of sorts this evening when they welcome an inconsistent UCD to Bishopsgate on Monday evening (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

Longford now find themselves in the awkward position of being six points behind Bray with just six games to play – had they won against Bray on Friday they would have gone level on points with the Seagulls.

But should the Red and Black win on Monday – they may find themselves only three points off top spot depending on Bray Wanderers’ result in Cobh at the same time.

“It’s a really competitive league and there’s teams winning and losing games at the high-end of the table,” manager Daire Doyle said following Friday’s loss to Bray.

“It’s really close and we have a couple of teams on our tails now in Cobh and Galway and we know that with another win on Monday that we’ll be closer.

“Us and UCD are in the same boat for Monday. We need a reaction and we need a performance, a really good one, and that’s what’s going to be expected from the lads now.”

In terms of team news, Longford will be able to call upon the services of Sam Verdon once again as he returns from injury.

However, Doyle is likely to be without Lido Lotefa and Dylan Grimes ahead of the visit of the Students to Bishopsgate.

Town have no suspension worries to contend with in advance of tonight’s game.

UCD

Andy Myler’s UCD will be hoping that they can get their First Division title hunt back on track tomorrow evening when they visit Longford Town at Bishopsgate.

Myler’s young guns have impressed at times this season but have been punished at costly times – failing to string together back to back wins since their win over Cabinteely on August 21^st.

They come into Monday’s clash against Longford with a point to prove, after they were defeated by Drogheda United on Friday night at the UCD Bowl.

Colm Whelan gave the Students an early first-half lead, but it was wiped out in the second half by a Mark Doyle double and a late Brandon Bermingham strike.

The result saw UCD tumble back down into fourth spot, with Cabinteely leapfrogging the Belfield side.

UCD have yet to release team news ahead of their trip to the Midlands, but they do have no suspension issues to worry about.  

Referee: Alan Patchell.

MATCH STATS

Longford Town have not defeated UCD at home in the league since July 2007 when they saw off the Students by one goal to nil at the then named Flancare Park.

Of course, during the ’07 campaign it was UCD who stayed up at the expense of Longford Town as the Red and Black were docked six points. Had they not been docked the points they would have stayed in the top-flight that year.

UCD have earned three clean sheets since the resumption of the First Division campaign on July 31^st while Longford on the other hand have registered the same amount.

BETTING

Longford Town 10/11; Draw 5/2; UCD 12/5.

PREDICTION

Longford Town 1 - 2 UCD

Longford Town

Injured: Dylan Grimes, Lido Lotefa.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

UCD

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.