League Preview: UCD -v- Waterford United

UCD

UCD will hope to put the disappointment of last week's defeat to Shelbourne behind them as they welcome league leaders Waterford to the UCD Bowl (kick-off 7.45pm).

With just a point from their last two games, the Students have dropped seven points off the pace at the top of the table and will feel they need a win to re-ignite their title charge.

Last Friday's reverse in Belfield was frustrating for Collie O'Neill's side as they surrendered a first-half lead to concede twice after the break.

Having won both of their previous meetings with Shels, including a 4-0 drubbing in the first meeting at the Bowl, it feels very much like three points dropped for College.

“Waterford are on a great run of form,” O'Neill told the club's media team ahead of Friday's game.

“They are top of the table, five points clear, unbeaten since the opening game of the season and everyone's favourites for the league.

“We know we are going to be up against it, however if we play the way we know we can then we will have every chance of picking up a good result.”

O'Neill will have to plan without his injured captain and talisman Gary O'Neill through injury but is boosted by the return of Simon Power after taking an extended break to sit his Leaving Cert.

WATERFORD

Waterford will look to make it back-to-back wins over Dublin opposition as they follow up last week's 3-0 home win over Cabinteely with a trip to Belfield.

A brace from Mark O'Sullivan either side of a Garry Comerford goal ensured a comfortable win for the league leaders at the RSC.

Defeats for Cobh Ramblers and the Students allowed the Blues to open a healthy five-point lead at the top of the table as they made it ten wins from 16 in the league.

“Although it’s good to be top of the table, we have to keep it going,” midfielder Anthony McAlevey told the club's media team earlier this week.

“All we can do is keep winning games and don’t worry about teams around us. It’s in our hands because we’re top of the table and hold the advantage.

“We need to keep it going now. Whether we’re one point or ten points clear at the end, we just need to keep going.

“It’s probably a good time to go to take on UCD so we’ll look forward to that game Friday night.

“They are a good side and when they came here to the RSC it could have went either way so all we can do is go up there, give it our all and see what happens.”

David Mulcahy and Dean O'Halloran remain on the injured list while fellow long-term injury victim Ian McLoughlin is unlikely to make the game, but Sander Puri has returned to fitness.

Referee: Marc Lynch

MATCH STATS

The sides have met twice so far this season, with the Blues carrying the upper hand to date.

The first meeting between the sides at the UCD Bowl ended 2-0 to Waterford after Patrick McClean and Tom Smith netted in the final half-hour.

The subsequent meeting at the RSC in April finished one apiece, with David McDaid levelling after the break following Jason McClelland's first-half opener.

UCD and Waterford United met four times last year, with both teams winning once at home and away, culminating in a humiliating 8-1 win for UCD at the RSC in September.

BETTING

UCD 5/2; Draw 12/5; Waterford evens.

PREDICTION

UCD 1 – 2 Waterford

UCD

Injured: Gary O'Neill.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Waterford

Injured: Dave Mulcahy. Dean O'Halloran.

Doubtful: Ian McLoughlin.

Suspended: None