League Preview: Galway United -v- UCD

UCD's Colm Whelan has four goals so far this season after scoring a hat-trick against Cabinteely last weekend. Credit: Steve Alfred (ETPhotos)

GALWAY UNITED

The Tribesmen go into the weekend still looking for their first League win of the season when they host UCD at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

It took a last minute equalizer against Treaty United last week to rescue a point for United as they laboured to a 1-1 draw.

Super sub Wilson Waweru was the man on the scoresheet for the Tribesmen in that game with the striker now having two goals to his name and being the only Galway player to score so far this season.

Galway now turn their attention to another unbeaten team, Andy Myler’s UCD, in what will be another tough encounter for the struggling side.

“I think we need to be more clinical in converting our chances, especially when you have a team such as UCD coming to Eamonn Deacy Park,” manager John Caulfield said, speaking to the club’s media team.

“They have been heavy scorers, netting ten goals in four games so they will carry a real attacking threat. We have been creating opportunities, but we need to take more of them.

“It has been an extremely competitive start to the First Division season. That is evident every weekend, the games are proving to be extremely hard-fought.

“We know from last year that winning breeds confidence. So far the lads have been very close.

“The important thing for me is that if I thought we weren’t giving it our all or we weren’t working hard enough at training, but that hasn’t been the case.



“Ultimately, it is vital that we remain composed because we have put a brand new team together.

“I firmly believe that we can have a rewarding campaign, the players are working extremely hard, and they will deliver for Galway United.”

Galway will be without the services of Francely Lomboto who continues to miss out due to a long term injury.

UCD

The Students have been in excellent form so far this First Division season and they find themselves unbeaten after 4 games in the League.

Last week’s South Dublin Derby was another high scoring affair for Andy Myler’s side with UCD winning 4-1 against Cabinteely.



Colm Whelan showed impeccable form by netting a hat-trick, giving him four goals for the season so far and placing him top of the goal scoring charts for 2021 currently.

Former Tribesman Donal Higgins netted the side’s fourth goal for his first of the season and the midfielder can hopefully kick-on and fulfil the potential he showed at Galway since making his debut as a 16 year old in 2018.

Myler’s men will be looking to continue this unbeaten run of form when they head to Galway on Friday night, and with the Tribesmen struggling to find form, they have a great opportunity to do that.

Referee: Jason Mannix

MATCH STATS

The Tribesmen are unbeaten in 2 games against the Students having won their first meeting in 2020 3-0 before drawing the last game of the season 2-2.

With UCD’s brief stint in the Premier Division during 2019 meaning the sides were kept apart, the Dublin side last beat Galway in July 2018

With three games played Galway have yet to win a game this season. UCD on the other hand are unbeaten in 4 games, with 2 impressive wins over Cabinteely and Cobh Ramblers.

BETTING

Galway United 6/5; Draw 21/10; UCD 2/1.

PREDICTION

Galway United 1–1 UCD

Galway United

Injured: Francely Lomboto.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

UCD

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.