League Preview: UCD -v- Dundalk

UCD

The Students will be looking to get back to winning ways on Monday afternoon as they face defending Premier Division champions Dundalk at the UCD Bowl (kick-off 3pm).

UCD fell to a bitterly disappointing 3-0 defeat away to Bohemians on Friday evening despite dominating proceedings for much of the opening period. 

However, the Belfield outfit have won three of their last four home games so they will be targeting this game as an opportunity to secure all three points as the fixtures pile up in the coming weeks. 

Friday evening’s game at Dalymount Park hinged upon a penalty going against the way of the Students as Mark Dignam pulled down a rampaging Danny Grant. 

UCD didn’t recover after the concession of the penalty and after just ten second half minutes, the game was all but over at the Phibsborough. 

However, the manner of the performance for the majority of the opening period will have pleased Collie O’Neill and co. who have witnessed maturity levels improve over the last few weeks.   

DUNDALK

Fresh from their 3-0 win over newly promoted Finn Harps on Friday night, Dundalk will be hoping to secure their third successive win when they make the trip to UCD on Easter Monday.  

This will be the second time the sides have met this season with the Lilywhites coming out on top of the first encounter with a 2-1 win over the 2018 First Division winners. 



Of course, Dundalk and UCD are familiar foes having played each other in each of the last four seasons, with the Co. Louth side coming out on top on all occasions. 

Dundalk have endured a slightly off-colour start to 2019 since the departure of Stephen Kenny. However, results have started to improve once more following the defeat away to Sligo Rovers recently.

Last season’s top scorer Patrick Hoban has five goals to his name so far this year, level with Aaron Drinan, Dinny Corcoran and Aaron McEneff. 

Should the Lilywhites secure all three points in South Dublin, they will momentarily cut the gap on top of the table Shamrock Rovers to seven, while a defeat could see the Hoops, who play on Tuesday at home to Bohs, push as far ahead as 13 points clear ahead of Friday night’s showdown between the sides at Oriel Park.    

Referee: Damien MacGraith. 

MATCH STATS



UCD and Dundalk have met in the past three seasons in cup competitions. The Lilywhites have come out on top on all occasions by a one goal margin. 

The Student’s last win over the Oriel Park outfit came all the way back in 2013. The Belfield side’s last win at home to Dundalk came in 2011. 

UCD have only achieved one clean sheet so far this season with defensive frailties costing Collie O’Neill’s side dearly at times. They have already conceded nineteen goals so far, whereas they only coughed up 29 goals in 27 games on their way to the First Division title last term. 

BETTING

UCD 15/2; Draw 7/2; Dundalk 1/3.

PREDICTION

UCD 1-2 Dundalk

UCD

Injured: Evan Osam. 

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Dundalk

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None. 

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