League Preview: Galway United -v- Cobh Ramblers

GALWAY UNITED

The Tribesmen will be looking to stretch their winning streak to five games in a row when they host Cobh Ramblers at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Galway seemed to have finally turned their form around in the last few weeks and they currently occupy second place in the First Division, although the gap between themselves and Shelbourne is still large.

A dominant performance and a 2-0 win over UCD last Friday night was a huge positive for John Caulfield’s side but they’ll have to keep winning games if they are to make up the distance in the race for automatic promotion this season.

Ruairí Keating opened the scoring at the UCD Bowl last Friday and the striker turned provider for Wilson Waweru’s goal alter in the game with the young forward puling off a great turn in the box to slot home for the visitors.

Luke Dennison, Thomas Oluwa and Joe Gorman have all signed for the club in the past week and John Caulfield is welcoming the increased competition for starting places in the team.

“There is a bit more competition for places, we have had some solid performances and we have another tough game against Cobh this week,” Caulfield told the club’s media team.

“We have brought in a few new signings to compete for positions in this team. There is also a lot of lads back from injury who are bursting to play.

“This is a good thing as that type of competition for places pushes players on and you need that in a squad.

“Cobh beat us last year at home and they are always a difficult side to beat. If we don’t go out and give a performance like we did against UCD last week, we won’t win the game. We have to keep our feet on the ground.”

In terms of team news, both Francely Lomboto and Ronan Manning are the only confirmed absentees through injury for Friday night’s game.

COBH RAMBLERS

Stuart Ashton’s side have struggled at times this season but three wins in their last five games is a much better return for the Cork side than earlier in the season.

They still find themselves third from bottom in the table on 14 points and last week’s 2-1 loss to Bray Wanderers means they are now seven points outside the playoffs at this point of the season.

Ramblers opened the scoring in last week’s game when Ian Turner scored in the Carlisle Grounds.

Wanderers fought back however, and a brace from Joe Doyle meant Ramblers travelled back home a further three points away from fifth place in the First Division, something they will be looking to address this weekend.

Galway are on a great run however, and they don’t look like they’re ready to finish their winning streak just yet.

The Tribesmen’s trip to St Colman’s Park where they ran out 4-0 winners will surely be on Stuart Ashton’s mind when the sides face off on Friday night.

Referee: Robert Dowling

MATCH STATS

The Tribesmen are on a four game winning streak coming into this Friday’s fixture.

Galway United last beat Cobh at Eamonn Deacy Park in September 2019, the Tribesmen thrashed Ramblers 7-1.

A win for John Caulfield’s side would ensure that they stay in the top two in the First Division.

BETTING

Galway United 4/11; Draw 7/2; Cobh Ramblers 5/1.

PREDICTION

Galway United 2–0 Cobh Ramblers

Galway United

Injured: Francely Lomboto, Ronan Manning.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.