League Preview: Athlone Town -v- Cobh Ramblers

ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone Town welcome Cobh Ramblers to Lissywollen (kick-off 7.45pm) despite being under investigation by the FAI for alleged betting irregularities in their last game.

Athlone fell to a sixth league defeat in eight at Longford Town last Saturday as an Enda Curran hat-trick led Longford to a 3-1 win.

As usual, there is no team news provided by the club, but Ricardo Cravo, or Mick Dolan, or whoever's the manager this week will have to do with a further depleted squad.

Defender Aaron Brilly this week became the fifth squad member this season to walk out in protest at the way the club is being run, while coach Jose Ferreira has also left.

Jason Molloy is suspended after being sent off within two minutes of his introduction at City Calling Stadium.

COBH RAMBLERS

Cobh Ramblers climbed above Waterford to the summit of the First Division thanks to a 1-0 victory away at Shelbourne.

Karl Caulfield's stunning chip just after half time was the only goal of the game as the Rams profited from a draw between second and third-placed Waterford and UCD.

“The character of these young lads up in Tolka Park was incredible,” Cobh manager Stephen Henderson told the club's website.

“I’m so proud of them. The win puts us top of the perch, the last time we were there we didn’t deal with it too well. So let’s see how we deal with it this time.

“We have to keep going, and there has to be consistency. We’re top of the league, the question is do we have the mentality to stay there? There’s still a long way to go.

“But Cork City have shown that if you’re professional and you stick at it you can go on long, unbeaten runs. I know we’re capable of doing that, so let’s see if we can.”

Henderson is without defender Ryan Hogan, who has a knee injury, but otherwise has a fully-fit and available squad to call on.

Referee: Eoghan O'Shea

MATCH STATS

The sides have met once so far this season, with Stephen Henderson's side inflicting Athlone's first defeat of the season, a 5-1 win in the first game of Ricardo Monsanto's winless reign as coach.

The teams met four times last season. The first meeting at St Colman's Park finished 2-2 while Cobh won the three remaining games as they finished third in the league.

BETTING

Athlone Town 15/4; Draw 11/4; Cobh Ramblers 4/6.

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 1 – 3 Cobh Ramblers

Athlone Town

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: Jason Molloy.

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Ryan Hogan.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.