League Preview: Limerick -v- Cork City

LIMERICK

Limerick will look to bounce back from their second heavy defeat of a topsy-turvy league campaign when they welcome the champions to the Market's Field (kick-off 7.45pm).

Tommy Barrett's side were humbled by Derry City at the Brandywell on Monday night, losing 5-0, to compound their 8-0 defeat in Dundalk a week earlier.

In between those games, the Blues picked up their second league win of the season at home to Bray Wanderers and will take heart from their unbeaten home record.

“I’m the type of fella that thinks we can win every game,” an upbeat Barrett told the club's official website.

“Everything that I go into, I think that way. I was the same as a player – that’s the competitive nature that I have.

“I’m hoping that the players are thinking like that too. If they do individually then eventually when the group forms, collectively they will have that mentality as well.

“Monday was a funny one. Obviously, the result was disappointing, but we did very well for the first hour of the game. I thought at the time that we were the better team and when I looked back at the video I thought the same.

“I don’t know how it was 5-0. We conceded some sloppy goals and I didn’t think it was a penalty. We seemed to lack concentration or dropped our heads from the second one on.”

Striker Mark O'Sullivan is unavailable with a broken metacarpal sustained in the defeat to Dundalk but Barrett has an otherwise full deck to choose from.

CORK CITY

Cork City contest their second Munster derby of the season with the visit to Limerick.

City were beaten by Dundalk at Oriel Park last Friday night but bounced back immediately with a hard-fought 1-0 win at home to Shamrock Rovers on Monday night.

Kieran Sadlier's first-half penalty was enough to see the Leesiders to victory and make it four wins from five for John Caulfield's joint league leaders.

“We had a very quick turnaround between last Friday and Monday, playing two massive matches within three days, against two title contenders,” Caulfield told the club's website.

“When you don’t do well and give a poor performance, you are always looking for a reaction and we got that. It was significant win for us to bounce back after the disappointment the previous Friday.”

“Limerick will sit in and play on the counter-attack, so we will probably have a lot of the ball and our concentration levels will be hugely important.

“It is a different type of game tomorrow; Monday is gone, it is a different game and it will present its own challenges. Limerick have been good at home, so we expect a tough game.”

John Dunleavy remains a long-term absentee, while Alan Bennett, Steven Beattie, Garry Buckley and Josh O'Hanlon will all be assessed closer to kick-off as they battle knocks.

Referee: Neil Doyle

MATCH STATS

City won four times over their near neighbours in 2017 as the sides met three times in the league and in both national cups.

City comfortably won the first two league meetings 3-0 and 4-1 before the Blues finally bested their rivals with a 2-1 win at the Market's Field in September.

The Rebel Army got their revenge the following week as progressed to the FAI Cup final – which they won – at Limerick's expense.

The sides also met early in the season in the EA Sports Cup, with City coasting to another 3-0 win.

BETTING

Limerick 7/1; Draw 7/2; Cork City 1/3.

PREDICTION

Limerick 0 – 3 Cork City

Limerick

Injured: Mark O'Sullivan (hand).

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: None.

Cork City

Injured: John Dunleavy (knee).

Doubtful: Steven Beattie, Alan Bennett, Garry Buckley, Josh O'Hanlon.

Suspended: None.