League Preview: Wexford -v- Athlone Town

WEXFORD

In a clash of the division’s two basement clubs, Wexford host Athlone Town at Ferrycarrig Park as both sides look to salvage their disappointing starts to the season with a big win down in the south-east corner of the country (kick-off 8pm).

Since their opening day win of the season over Cabinteely, Damian Locke’s Wexford side have struggled having failed to have picked up a point since their big away day win over Cabinteely at Stradbrook Park.

Most recently, Wexford were on the end of a 4-1 beating in Éamonn Deacy Park as the Slaneysiders saw their first-half lead disintegrate against a Galway United side who upped their intensity in a strong second-half showing.

"It’s a game just as big as the others for us,” Locke told the club's media team.

“Three points on the line but we do realise we need to be getting the better of the teams around us if we want to start progressing up the table."

Wexford will be going into the game confident of pulling off a big win against the division’s basement side, but they will have to make do without the service of John Morgan and Conor Sutton due to injury, while Ross Kenny misses out through suspension.

Owen McCormack and Owen Wall are doubts for the game, but midfielder Thomas Croke looks set to return to the starting eleven after missing out on last week’s game due to illness.

ATHLONE TOWN

After a traumatic start to life under the guise of Aaron Callaghan which has seen Athlone Town ship some very heavy beatings, the Town will be out looking for their first win of the season over a team that are in an equally poor run of form at the moment.

After being heavily beaten 7-0 at Tolka Park, which saw Aaron Callaghan sent to the stands in Drumcondra, the Town were once again heavily beaten by Cobh Ramblers 4-1 as Jaze Kabia grabbed a brace for Stephen Henderson’s side.

Should Athlone upset the odds here at Ferrycarrig Park, as they managed to do so in the past, it would be their first league win in just under a year, when they defeated last week’s opponents Cobh Ramblers 2-1 at Athlone Town Stadium.

Athlone Town have once again not provided team news, but Brian Cabraley misses out on the trip down to the sunny south-east due to a suspension picked up in last week’s defeat against Cobh.

Referee: Jason Mannix

MATCH STATS

This game is a clash of the two worst defences in the First Division this season. The sides have already conceded an astonishing 50 goals between themselves in their opening seven and eight games.

Somewhat unsurprisingly, both sides are among the lowest goalscorers in the league as both have looked rather toothless up front at times.

Last season, both sides slugged it out at the bottom of the table as Damian Locke’s side came out on top over an Athlone Town side that had their season tarnished due to suspected match-fixing offences at the club that was subject of an FAI investigation.

BETTING

Wexford 1/4; Draw 7/2; Athlone Town 15/2

PREDICTION

Wexford 3 – 1 Athlone Town

Wexford

Injured: John Morgan, Conor Sutton.

Doubtful: Owen Wall, Owen McCormack.

Suspended: Ross Kenny.

Athlone Town

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: Brian Cabraley.