League Preview: Galway United -v- Waterford

GALWAY UNITED

Galway United will be looking to bounce back after two tough results when the in-form Waterford visit Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

What a difference a few days can make, the Tribesmen held a narrow lead at the top of the First Division heading into last Friday’s games, but a scoreless draw that night against Treaty United and a disappointing loss to Longford Town on Monday means that Cork City are now four points clear.

Friday night’s opponents are in spectacular form, having stumbled early on they are now nipping at Galway’s heels and find themselves with a chance to go withing a point of John Caulfield’s men if they can secure a win on Friday.

Worrying for Galway goals seem to have become an issue for them in recent games, including their game just before the midseason break against Cork City.

Despite the fact they scored five times against Bray, in three out of their last four games United have failed to find the net, which is a spectacular drop in form for Galway.

“We look forward to Friday’s game, we have had two very tough games against Waterford this season,” Caulfield told the club’s media team.

“Welcome to Danny Searle to the League of Ireland – he has a lot of experience in management. He has inherited a very good team who are competing for automatic promotion.

“We know Waterford have very good players but we are hoping to bounce back after a disappointing performance on Monday night.”

WATERFORD

It’s been a busy start to life at the RSC for Danny Searle who has taken over as head coach at Waterford after Ian Morris’ departure earlier this season.

However, his start couldn’t have gone any better as he notched up two wins in a row to begin his time in the hot seat with a 1-0 win over Bray Wanderers on Friday night before a 5-2 drubbing of Athlone Town on Monday to extend the Blues winning streak to eight in total.

The former Aldershot manager will have to plough ahead without the services of Louis Britton however, the striker was a key player this season for the Blues and he contributed nine goals, including scoring in the last three games in a row.

One of those goals clinched the narrow 1-0 win over Bray Wanderers last weekend.

The forward had been on loan from Bristol City but as his contract expired, the door opened to allow Cork City swoop in and sign him, this will be a tough loss for Waterford as they look to get right back into the title race in the second half of the season.

They will be confident coming into Friday night however, their winning streak is still intact and the Tribesmen are struggling so this could be a good opportunity for the Blues to get their first win of the season over Galway.

Referee: Paul Norton

MATCH STATS

Galway have failed to score in three of their last four games.

Waterford are looking to make it nine wins in a row when they face the Tribesmen on Friday night.

The sides have faced each other twice so far this season and the Blues have failed to win either game with Galway coming out on top at the RSC in April when they won 1-0.

PREDICTION

Galway United 1–1 Waterford

Galway United

Injured: Ronan Manning.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Waterford

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.