League Preview: Finn Harps -v- Dundalk

FINN HARPS

Finn Harps return to home ground following their first defeat of the season at Turner’s Cross last week, with champions Dundalk the daunting task facing them (kick-off 7.45pm).

Ollie Horgan’s enjoyed a strong start to the season with a win over Sligo Rovers and a draw with rivals Derry but came unstuck on their visit to Cork City.

Alexander Kogler was denied a debut goal on the stroke of half time as, eventually, he was judged to have fouled City keeper Liam Bossin, forcing him to be stretchered off.

Alec Byrne then notched for the home side early in the second half and Harps were unable to salvage anything from the game.

They now welcome Dundalk to Finn Park, with a tough assignment away to league leaders Shamrock Rovers to follow seven days later.

“It’s brilliant to be talking about Dundalk,” Horgan told the club’s media team.

“We were long enough not talking about them because we weren't in the same division, but we’re here and are delighted to be part of it.

“It’ll be a good barometer for us and where we’re at going forward. Dundalk have added serious quality and they are the benchmark.

“There is nothing but respect from us for what they have done given where they were a few years ago."

Mark Timlin is out for the season with an ACL injury and Tony McNamee is also unavailable, while Mark Coyle faces a late fitness test.

DUNDALK

The Lilywhites, like Harps, will look to bounce back immediately from their first defeat of the season away to Shamrock Rovers last week.

A Puskas Award contender from Jordan Flores, which was viewed more than five million times worldwide, and Patrick Hoban’s second-half strike weren’t enough on the night.

Vinny Perth’s side led after pegging back Dylan Watts’ early opener, but Roberto Lopes and Jack Byrne scored late on to seal the win.

And there are easier ways to bounce back than making the trip north to Ballybofey to face a well-drilled, well-organised Harps side.

“We’re expecting the pitch to be really tough on Friday,” Perth told the club’s official website.

“That part of the world has been hit hard with three or four storms over the past few weeks.

“It’s a tricky venue but Harps are a good side and they’ve improved on where they were last year. They play more football than they ever have and they’ll be a real threat to us.

“In terms of the width and things like that, we have our beliefs and they have their own. Nobody can say what’s right or wrong.

“They have more footballers now than they’ve ever had in the past so it may not suit them as much to narrow it. We’ll see when we get up there.”

Good news on the injury front for Dundalk as Patrick McEleney has returned to full training while Stefan Colovic and Georgie Kelly have had more time on the training ground.

Referee: TBC.

MATCH STATS

The sides met four times in the league last season, with Dundalk winning three and drawing one of those encounters.

The Lilywhites were held to a 1-1 draw at Finn Park last March but hit back with 3-0, 3-0 and 5-0 wins in subsequent meetings.

BETTING

Finn Harps 13/2; Draw 3/1; Dundalk 2/5.

PREDICTION

Finn Harps 0-1 Dundalk

Finn Harps

Injured: Tony McNamee, Mark Timlin.

Doubtful: Mark Coyle.

Suspended: None.

Dundalk

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Patrick McEleney, Sean Murray.

Suspended: None