League Preview: Waterford -v- Dundalk
Padraig Amond celebrates scoring for Waterford Credit: Hugh de Paor (ETPhotos)
WATERFORD
Waterford will be looking to claim a third league win on the spin when they host Dundalk at the RSC on Friday night (kick-off is at 7.45pm).
The Blues defeated Sligo Rovers 1-0 last Friday and backed it up with a stunning 3-1 win over Shamrock Rovers on Monday evening at Tallaght Stadium.
But they will be without Barry Baggley through injury for the visit of Dundalk to the South-East. Ryan Burke is a major doubt.
Harvey Macadam is available after missing last Friday’s trip to Sligo, along with Kacper Skwierczyński.
“We want to build consistency and ensure our performance levels are of a high standard every week,” Long said this week.
“We are at home and want to be positive in our approach to the game. Dundalk are a very capable team with some really good players.
“We have prepared as best we can after Monday's game and are looking forward to the challenge that Dundalk will provide us.”
DUNDALK
Dundalk boss Noel King insists his side will not press the panic button any time yet.
The Lilywhites are rooted to the foot of the table and lost Monday’s Louth derby against Drogheda United.
“There’s still 22 matches to go and if we had won against Drogheda on Monday, it wouldn’t have saved us; and although we lost, it doesn’t put us down,” King said.
“You would have thought we might have been able to see it out for a point at 1-1 but you are not going to go through a season without getting defeated.
“We have experienced players who have to deal with defeats and it’s about how we respond now. We’ll get going again and we’ll see how it pans out in Waterford on Friday.”
Zak Bradshaw returns after missing the Louth Derby with Drogheda United due to suspension but George Shelvey misses out after being sent-off at the final whistle.
Ciaran McGuckin, Dara Keane and Robbie Mahon are injured.
Referee: David Dunne.
PREDICTION
Waterford 2-1 Dundalk
Waterford
Injured: Barry Baggley.
Doubtful: Ryan Burke.
Suspended: None.
Dundalk
Injured: Ciaran McGuckin, Dara Keane, Robbie Mahon.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: George Shelvey.
