Waterford United -v- Mervue United

Mervue United will be hoping to make it three wins in a row against Waterford United when they travel to the RSC on Saturday evening for their Airtricity League First Division tie. Kick-off 7,00pm.

WATERFORD UNITED

Waterford United come into the game with just one point from their opening two games of the new season. Last weekend they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Longford Town after their opening 1-1 draw against Finn Harps.

Tuesday’s EA Sports Cup win against Cobh Ramblers saw a first win of the season for Paul O’Brien’s men and he’ll be hoping to bring that form into Saturday’s game.

Peter Keegan and Michael Coady both miss the game through injury. Vinny Sullivan should return after a knock kept him out of Tuesday's match.

"We really need to get three points here and kick on," Blues keeper Craig Hyland told Extratime.ie. "Having had a draw with Finn Harps and losing to Longford, we really don’t want there to be a big gap this early in the season, so I feel we can get three points against Mervue and then kick on as a team. It’s really important to put a winning streak together and stay in touch with the teams at the top."

MERVUE UNITED

Mervue United have had a good start to the new campaign with a derby win over neighbours Salthill Devon adding to a hard-earned point gained away to Athlone Town on the opening night of the season.

Last week's 2-1 derby win over Salthill Devon was achieved courtesy of goals from captain Tom King and 16-year-old Ryan Manning, who was registering his first senior goal for the club.

Manning, however, will miss the trip to Waterford as he plays for the club’s Youth team in their FAI Youth Cup quarter-final against Edenderry Town on Sunday.

Johnny Glynn does welcome back defender Stephen Walsh after a three match ban and has no other injury worries for the trip to the RSC.

Glynn is looking forward to the match. “Waterford will provide us with a good test this weekend as they are one of the favourites for the First Division title but we won twice down there at the end of last season so that should give us a bit of confidence heading into the game.”

Referee: Rhona Daly.

MATCH STATS

Mervue United have beaten Waterford united on their last two trips to the RSC; a 4-0 FAI Cup win coupled with a 2-1 league triumph.

Waterford United finished the previous two matches with ten men, with Seamus Long and Paul Carey seeing red in the respective matches.

BETTING

Waterford United 4/7; Draw 11/4; Mervue United 4/1.

PREDICTION

2-1 to Waterford United.

Waterford United

Injured: Peter Keegan, Michael Coady.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None. 

Mervue United
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Unavailable: Ryan Manning (FAI Youth Cup duty).