League Preview: Limerick -v- Athlone Town

LIMERICK

SSE Airtricity First Division Champions Limerick welcome bottom of the table Athlone Town to the Market’s Field for their penultimate home match on Tuesday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Limerick will look to put behind the disappointment of the end of their attempt to go the whole season unbeaten in the league by returning to winning ways against Athlone Town.

The Super Blues have quite simply been head and shoulders above the rest of the sides in the league and will make a swift return to the promised land of the Premier Division next season.

Martin Russell’s side were finally undone by a plucky performance from Cobh Ramblers last Saturday evening with the team from the Rebel County running out 2-0 winners at St. Colman’s Park thanks to second half goals from Shane O’Connor and Robert Lehane.

The Shannonsiders had gone 24 league games without a blot in their copybook but coach Martin Russell will be aiming for his side to finish the remainder of the season strongly in their last three league matches.

The Super Blues had only lost one other match in their last six games with the defeat in the final of the EA Sports Cup at the hands of St. Patrick’s Athletic (1-4).

ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone Town will make the trip to the Mid-West for a rearranged midweek fixture in the SSE Airtricity First Division to take on the challenge of wounded Limerick.

The Town have little to play for but pride at this stage of the season but will still harbour ambitions to avoid finishing bottom of the table by taking a positive result back to the Midlands with them.

The Town have had a very disappointing season but did produce an encouraging display in their last league game with a 1-1 draw at Lisseywollen last Friday night with Ryan Gaffey earning the home side a precious point from the penalty spot.

Athlone Town have been in dreadful form recently managing just one win against Cabinteely (4-0), a draw and four defeats in their last six league and cup games including a 5-0 drubbing by Shamrock Rovers in the FAI Cup back in August.

Referee: Andrew Mullally.

MATCH FACTS

Limerick have the SSE Airtricity First Division title wrapped up with 66 points from their 25 league games comprising 21 wins, 3 draws and one defeat.

Athlone Town are currently in eighth and last place in the SSE Airtricity First Division on 14 points from their 25 league games with 3 wins, 5 draws and 17 defeats.

Limerick and Athlone Town have met on three previous occasions in the league this season with the Super Blues dominating with a 100% record. Limerick thrashed The Town 5-0 at Lisseywollen, swept them aside 3-0 at the Market’s Field and comfortably won 2-0 in their last league game in Athlone.

BETTING

Limerick 1/12 Draw 7/1 Athlone Town 14/1.

PREDICTION

Limerick 3-0 Athlone Town.

TEAM NEWS

Limerick

Injured: Not available.

Suspended: Shane Duggan.

Athlone Town

Injured: Not available.

Suspended: None.