League Preview: Waterford -v- Dundalk

WATERFORD

Waterford will be looking to pull Dundalk further into the relegation mire this week as they take on the Lilywhites at the RSC this evening (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

Waterford secured their passage into last eight of the FAI Cup last weekend with a convincing win over Kilnamanagh last time out.

And their manager Marc Bircham is hoping that win can buoy his side this weekend.

“It was important last week to get ourselves through into the next round of the cup but straight away our planning turned to this Friday against Dundalk.

“This week is a big game again. People will say Dundalk are down near the bottom of the table, but they have some quality players in their squad, so we have to prepare properly for that.

“They have games in hand on us, so we want to give ourselves the best chance to keep picking up points and look to move up the table.

“We’re hopeful of having a bigger crowd than previous games too so that will really drive the players on.”

Anthony Wordsworth and Niall O’Keeffe return from suspension. Meanwhile, Brian Murphy, Shane Griffin and Junior Quitirna remain doubts. Daryl Murphy and Paul Martin miss out.

DUNDALK



Dundalk will be looking to ease their relegation concerns this evening as they take on Waterford at the RSC.

The Lilywhites are in a wretched run of form, sinking to 9th in the league table in the process.

And their forward Patrick Hoban admits Dundalk have not been good enough this season.

“We can make all the excuses we want about injuries but there’s more than enough quality there,” said Hoban.

“We just need to be better in the league. It’s frustrating, but the only people who can turn it around now is ourselves and we have to make sure we do that.

“It helps now that we have a week between games,” he added. “It was a hectic schedule for a while where we couldn’t really get any recovery time between those big European fixtures.



“But now it gives us a chance to get ready for these big games because, to me, every league game now is a cup final, and we have to be giving our all to make sure we take three points.”

Wilfried Zahibo, Patrick McEleney, David McMillan and Brian Gartland are injured for Dundalk. While there are doubts over Darragh Leahy, Daniel Cleary, Daniel Kelly and Michael Duffy.

Raivis Jurkovskis and Sonni Nattestad are also missing as they are on international duty.

Referee: John McLoughlin.

 

BETTING

Waterford 3/1; Draw 12/5; Dundalk 5/6.

PREDICTION

Waterford 1 - 0 Dundalk

 

Waterford

Injured: Daryl Murphy, Paul Martin.

Doubtful: Brian Murphy, Shane Griffin, Junior Quitirna.

Suspended: None.

 

Dundalk

Injured: Wilfried Zahibo, Patrick McEleney, David McMillan, Brian Gartland.

Doubtful: Daniel Kelly, Darragh Leahy, Daniel Cleary, Michael Duffy.

Unavailable: Raivis Jurkovskis, Sonni Nattestad.

Suspended: None.

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