League Preview: UCD -v- St Patrick’s Athletic
- Andrew Dempsey
- Fri, Aug 25 2023
UCD
Basement battlers UCD have it all to do if they are to beat the drop and stay up this season.
The Students recently exited the FAI Cup at the hands of Galway United thanks to a demoralising 5-1 beating at the Belfield Bowl on Monday night.
But they must dust themselves off from that latest setback when they host St Patrick’s Athletic at the same venue this evening.
The Students have conceded 13 goals against the Saints and have scored just once against them this season.
And their last win over the Dublin 8 side in the league came in October 2011 – but they did at least beat them in the FAI Cup in 2019.
UCD will be without Mark Dignam once again through injury.
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC
St Patrick’s Athletic boss Jon Daly insists UCD will pose his side a threat when the pair meet in this evening’s Dublin derby.
The Saints are flying high under Daly’s stewardship and have managed to sneak their way back into the title race.
But Daly stressed that his side will only be thinking about winning away to UCD, and not a league title.
“It's very close in the table, it's going to be the team who are the most consistent over the final part of the season that will get where they need to get,” he said.
“That starts on Friday for us.
“It's important that we focus on that game and do what we've done throughout the season. We don't want to look too far ahead; we have to take one game at a time.
“UCD don't have as many points on the board as they probably should. They're a decent side with some very good players in their team that can hurt you.
“One thing about them is that they never stop and never give up.
“It's important to focus on ourselves and go there and play to our full capabilities and hope that that's enough on the night.”
Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan.
PREDICTION
UCD 0-3 St Patrick’s Athletic
UCD
Injured: Mark Dignam, Evan Osam.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
St Patrick’s Athletic
Injured: Tom Grivosti, Axel Sjoberg.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
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