League Preview: Galway United -v- Cobh Ramblers

GALWAY UNITED

Galway United will be looking to overcome five successive defeats when they host Cobh Ramblers at Éamonn Deacy Park on Friday evening. (Kick-off is at 7.45pm)

After impressing during their opening two games of the season against title favourites Shelbourne and Wexford FC, expectations grew among the Galway United fanbase for an exciting 2019 in waiting.

However, recent defeats against Cabinteely and Limerick has certainly soured the mood around the Tribesmen with many now writing Alan Murphy’s side off completely in the Playoff hunt.

Speaking ahead of Friday night’s encounter at home to Cobh Ramblers, Murphy admits that the squad are determined to get back on track, starting with a home game against Cobh on Friday evening.

“The whole squad are looking forward to the Cobh Ramblers game,” Alan Murphy explained to www.galwayunitedfc.ie.

“Everyone realises that we haven’t scored in x amount of league games and we know that we have to address that.

“We’ll be looking to try and emulate a lot of the good stuff that we’ve done this season, but we’ll be trying to add to that by having a little bit more bite in the final third of the pitch in terms of creating chances and scoring goals.

“We’ve worked very hard on the training ground this week in the lead up to the Cobh Ramblers game and we’ve done our preparation on them.

“We’ve analysed our last few games, we know it’s a work in progress, but we’re also hoping to see a difference in the way we attack and how dangerous we look on the pitch after tweaking a few things.

“We’re a very close-knit group. We know what we’re doing and working towards. We know what we’re trying to achieve at the football club and also the hard work that is being put in every week. We’re very optimistic and realistic about what we’re about.”

In terms of team news for United, Conor Layng, Kevin Horgan, Andrew Peters, Iarfhlaith Davoren, Jeff McGowan and Adam Rooney all miss out with injury while Donal Higgins and Colin Kelly are both unavailable due to international commitments.

COBH RAMBLERS

Stephen Henderson’s Cobh Ramblers will be looking to bounce back from last week’s damaging defeat at home to Cabinteely when they travel up to Galway on Friday evening.

Rob Manley scored the winner on that occasion for Cabo as Charlie Lyons saw red late on during a damaging enough night for a young Cobh side at St Colman’s Park.

Ramblers are yet to pick up a point on the road so far this season and they will be hoping that they can do so on Friday evening against a Galway side who are in as equally poor form at home.

Cobh currently lie 8^th in the First Division table and will have the opportunity to move up the table should Athlone come away from Stradbrook on Friday evening with nothing to show for their efforts.

Charlie Lyons will miss out for Cobh through suspension. The Rams have not released any further team news ahead of their trip to Galway.   

Referee: Adriano Reale.

MATCH STATS

Galway United have lost their last five competitive league games with defeats to Limerick, Waterford, Cabinteely, Drogheda United and Bray Wanderers in recent weeks.

Galway have the worst goal scoring record in the First Division with only six goals to their name so far this season. All six came in the opening two games of the season.

Cobh have won two and lost five of their opening seven games of the season. their two wins came against Shelbourne and Wexford, both at home.  

BETTING

Galway United 13/10; Draw 11/5; Cobh Ramblers 9/5.

PREDICTION

Galway United 1-1 Cobh Ramblers

Galway United

Injured: Conor Layng, Kevin Horgan, Andrew Peters, Iarfhlaith Davoren, Jeff McGowan, Adam Rooney.

Doubtful: Ivan Gamarra, Ronan Asgari.

Suspended: None.

Unavailable: Colin Kelly, Donal Higgins.

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: Charlie Lyons.

Suspended: None.