League Preview: Limerick -v- Galway United

LIMERICK

A point will be enough to ensure Premier League football for another season at the Market's Field as Limerick host Galway United (kick-off 7.45pm).

Neil McDonald's side took a huge stride towards survival last Saturday with a narrow 1-0 win over already-relegated Drogheda United.

Rodrigo Tosi's goal early in the second half was enough to seal a clean sweep of league victories over the Drogs.

The result leaves Limerick five points clear of tonight's opponents in the final relegation spot with two games to play.

“It is a big game, but our result last week puts pressure on the teams below us,” McDonald told the club's official website.

“If we apply ourselves, be solid and create the chances like we did last week – and then be clinical, we’ll be okay.

“We’re in good form. We have won our last two home games which is great and we’ve picked up two points away from home in two very important games. That’s no different now against Galway.

“Hopefully there is a massive crowd at the Markets Field and we come out like we have done in the last couple of home games, with victories or points on the board which is what we need.”

McDonald has a fully-fit squad from which to choose as captain Shane Duggan returns following a one-match suspension.

GALWAY UNITED

Galway United could be relegated this weekend if both St Patrick's Athletic and Sligo Rovers win and they are defeated in Limerick.

Shane Keegan's side picked another point against Pats last week to make it nine points in their last five games without defeat.

They're going to need to at least keep that run intact if they're to catch the teams ahead of them, and manager Shane Keegan has set his side up accordingly.

"We need to be aiming for a win, you would imagine it would put us in a good position heading into the final day, if we were to win.

"Ourselves, St Pats and Sligo Rovers all have games against difficult teams at the weekend. All we can do is focus on our own performance against Limerick. 

"If we don't put in a performance against Limerick, we can't whinge about the teams around us not doing us any favours.

"I think ourselves and Limerick are two evenly matched teams. We were below par against them in the FAI Cup, they were below par against us in the league at Eamonn Deacy Park.

“If both perform on the night, it's going to be an interesting game."

Galway will be without top scorer Ronan Manning, who has a groin strain, while Gary Shanahan is a doubt after picking up a knock on his shin.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer

MATCH STATS

The sides have met three times this season, twice in the league and once in the FAI Cup.

The Tribesmen have had the upper hand in the league so far, drawing the first meeting in April 1-1 before winning 3-1 at home in July.

Limerick had the final laugh in the Cup, however, winning 2-1 at the Market's Field to book a semi-final date with Cork City.

BETTING

Limerick 6/4; Draw 13/5; Galway United 29/10.

PREDICTION

Limerick 1 – 2 Galway United

Limerick

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Galway United

Injured: Ronan Manning (groin).

Doubtful: Gary Shanahan (shin).

Suspended: None.