League Preview: St Patrick's Athletic -v- Waterford

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

St Patrick’s Athletic will be hoping to build on their positive start to the 2021 season when they welcome Waterford to Richmond Park on Tuesday evening (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Saints come into the game following a 1-1 draw away to Dundalk last time out – a game that proved to be the end of Filippo Giovagnoli’s tenure at the Lilywhites.

And despite their strong start to the season – Saints first-team manager Alan Mathews said his side are just focusing on one game at a time.

"We're just looking to the next game after a decent start,” he told his club’s media team.

“We've played five games but have a lot of matches to go.

“We need to dust ourselves down after the Dundalk game, recover well, and prepare as best we can for this game on Tuesday. There are no easy games in this league."

The Athletic’s Head Coach O'Donnell added: "I was down at Waterford's game on Friday against Bohs. They're going to be a stern test.

“They've gone to the Ryan McBride Brandywell, which is a tough place to go and gotten all three points.

“We are going to have to be at our best to win the game, like we are every game in this league so that's what we will be aiming to do."

St Patrick’s Athletic only absentee for Tuesday’s clash is teenager Cian Kelly who misses out with a foot injury.

WATERFORD

Waterford visit Richmond Park on Tuesday looking to put a turbulent few days behind them – and hoping to continue their positive run of results over the Saints.

In recent days – Waterford have had to issue statements denying any training ground bust-ups – so they will be hoping to bounce back with a positive result in Inchicore.

Kevin Sheedy’s side were most recently defeated by Bohemians at the RSC on Friday evening, suffering their fourth defeat in five games.

The Blues were undone by a Rob Cornwall winner after the central defender poked home a rebound from Tyreke Wilson’s free-kick.

In terms of team news for Waterford, Oscar Brennan is expected to miss out having had surgery on a facial injury in recent days.

The Blues have not issued any further team news at time of writing.

Referee: Graham Kelly.

MATCH STATS

St Patrick’s Athletic have only won twice in their previous ten league games against Waterford – with one win at home and away to the Blues.

In each of Waterford’s league games this season – only a single goal has separated the sides on each occasion.

On the Blues’ last visit to Richmond Park – they ran out 1-0 winners over the Athletic thanks to a Kevin O’Connor winner on that occasion.

BETTING

St Patrick’s Athletic 3/10; Draw 7/2; Waterford 17/2.

PREDICTION

St Patrick’s Athletic 2 - 0 Waterford

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Cian Kelly.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Waterford

Injured: Oscar Brennan.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.