League Preview: UCD -v- Waterford United
- Dave Donnelly
- Fri, Jul 15 2016
UCD
UCD returned to winning ways with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Cabinteely on Friday, with four different scorers registering in front of goal.
It was the ideal response to the disappointment of ceding a winning position with a man advantage to eventually lose in Limerick a week earlier.
Those three points took UCD back above Drogheda United into second and will give the Students confidence heading into tonight's meeting with Waterford United in Belfield (kick-off 7.45pm).
“We played well last week against Cabinteely,” manager Collie O'Neill told the club's website.
“We moved the ball quickly and created some great chances, and of course some of the goals were fantastic.
“I have been very impressed with Greg Sloggett in recent weeks, and he's nearly been like a new player for us this year after missing a lot of last season through injury.
“I was pleased with our performance last week but we are going to have to raise our game once more and be at our very best if we are to have a chance.
“They've been by far the better side in both games this season and will be confident of getting another result again tonight.”
O'Neill will again be without centre-halves Tomás Boyle and Brian Shortall as they continue their recovery from injury, while Jason McClelland is a new name on the injury list, but Josh Collins comes back into contention after missing the Cabinteely game through suspension.
Waterford United
In what's become somewhat of a running theme for First Division clubs this season, Waterford United went toe-to-toe with Limerick last week and emerged on the end of an undeserved 5-1 hammering.
Roddy Collins' new-look side were level heading towards the hour mark at the RSC and conceded three goals in six minutes towards the end to add a misrepresentative look to the scoreline.
The performance, however, will have given Collins some reason for optimism, as will their 100% record against tonight's opponents this season.
Collins may be able to call on new signing Alan Byrne, who arrived from Bray Wanderers during the week, however the defender continues to suffer with a niggling hamstring injury.
Referee: John McLoughlin.
MATCH STATS
The last two meetings between these sides has seen the Blues run out 3-1 winners on both occasions.
Anthony McAlevey, Colm Nugent and Phillie Gorman scored as Waterford were comfortable winners in Belfield in March.
Darren Murphy, who's since returned to Cobh Ramblers, and a double from Gorman won the tie at the RSC in May.
BETTING
UCD 4/6; Draw 3/1; Waterford United 16/5.
PREDICTION
UCD 2 – 2 Waterford United
UCD
Injured: Tomás Boyle (hamstring), Jason McClelland (ankle), Brian Shortall (hamstring).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Waterford United
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Alan Byrne (hamstring).
Suspended: None.