League Preview: Athlone Town -v- UCD

ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone Town will be hoping to build on last weekend’s surprise 2-0 win over Drogheda United when they welcome UCD to Lissywoolen on Friday evening (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

Athlone – as mentioned above – come into the game in high spirits after their two-goal win over Drogheda United.

Ronan Manning slotted home from the spot-kick for the visitors, before Taner Dogan made the game safe late with a wonder-strike from 45 yards out.

Dogan – who scored his first League of Ireland goal – lobbed Drogs keeper David Odumosu and sealed all three points with his superb effort.

They now face an inconsistent UCD side, and they will be without forward Lee Duffy who is missing due to suspension.

UCD

After falling to a frustrating 3-1 defeat at home to Bray Wanderers last time out, UCD will be hoping to bounce back when they travel to Co. Westmeath to take on Athlone Town.

UCD remain in the playoff hunt, but their manager Andy Myler is hopeful that they can learn from their mistakes this week.

“I think a lot of teams could still miss out on the playoffs at this stage,” he said during the aftermath of last week’s defeat.

“I think Drogheda and Bray are the only side’s safe in that way but any three from the other five are certainly still in the mix.

“We’re not out of the hunt and we’re still looking to finish as high up the table as we can. We need to pick ourselves up now.

“We’ve got three games left but we need to be better than tonight and learn from giving away sloppy goals.

“As much as we have goal in the team in an attacking sense, we give away far too many goals, and sloppy ones.

“It’s not really to do with our shape but it is to do with individual errors, and we need to cut that out.”

UCD have not released team news at time of writing.

Referee: Oliver Moran

MATCH STATS

Athlone have not won any of their previous 16 league games against UCD – with their most recent win over the Students coming in May 2014.

The Students have scored 33 goals so far this season – a league high – while they have also conceded 24.

Athlone Town have won three of their previous four league games.

BETTING

Athlone Town 18/5; Draw 10/3; UCD 8/15.

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 1 – 2 UCD

Athlone Town

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: Lee Duffy.

UCD

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.