League Preview: Athlone Town -v- Longford Town

ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone Town have failed to provide any team news.

LONGFORD TOWN

A home win against high-flying Cobh Ramblers at City Calling Stadium last weekend brought managerless Longford to within a point of fourth-placed Cabinteely.

A win for Shelbourne against UCD means the three sides are separated by just two points in the middle of the table.

With 15 points separating them and leaders Waterford, Longford's title chances are effectively nil, but if there's one opposition guaranteed to inspire full commitment it's Athlone.

Saturday's win over Cobh was somewhat unexpected given the Rams' fine form. Karl Chambers scored his first Longford goal before Dean Swords equalised five minutes from time. Jake Kelly then curled home a free kick in injury time to seal the three points.

Longford will again be without striker David O'Sullivan – who has scored two hat-tricks against Athlone this season – and Mark Langtry through injury.

On the plus side, Daniel O'Reilly returns from suspension while Cody Mulhall is fit to join the matchday squad.

Referee: John McLoughlin

MATCH STATS

The sides have met three times already this season, including twice in the league, with Longford winning all three midlands clasicos.

The first meeting in March saw Longford win 3-0 in Lissywollen with David O'Sullivan bagging a hat-trick, and he repeated the feat in a 4-3 EA Sports Cup win at the same venue.

The final meeting saw O'Sullivan go off injured, so it was left to Enda Curran to keep up the hat-trick streak in a 3-1 win.

That game would later prompt an FAI investigation into 'irregular betting patterns' during Athlone Town games.

BETTING

Athlone Town 15/4; Draw 11/4; Longford Town 4/6.

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 2 – 2 Longford Town

Athlone Town

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.

Longford Town

Injured: Mark Langtry, David O'Sullivan.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None