League Preview: Limerick -v- Cabinteely

SSE Airtricity First Division champions elect Limerick FC will take on the challenge of Cabinteely FC in an intriguing encounter at the Market’s Field on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 2pm).

LIMERICK FC

Limerick FC will be looking to take a step closer towards automatic promotion and clinching the SSE Airtricity First Division championship with a victory over Dublin side Cabinteely FC at the Market’s Field on Saturday afternoon. The Super Blues were given a real scare last Friday night when they managed to salvage a late point in a thrilling 3-3 away to promotion chasing Drogheda United. This ended a superb run of five consecutive wins, including the famous 1-0 scalp of Derry City in the EA Sports Cup semi-final at the Brandywell. 

Limerick FC boss Martin Russell will be hopeful that his side can continue their wonderful winning ways this season and will have one eye on the Drogheda United and UCD match as failure for a winner to emerge coupled with a home win for the Shannonsiders will see them crowned SSE Airtricity First Division champions and make a swift return to the Premier Division.

Super Blues boss Russell has no major injury worries or suspensions and a fully fit squad to choose from ahead of the match on Saturday. 

CABINTEELY FC

Cabinteely FC are faced with the task of becoming only the second team to take points off rampant league leaders Limerick when they travel to the Mid-West with aspirations of being party poopers. The Dun Laoghaire side will be aiming to bounce back from the disappointing 3-1 home defeat last weekend at Stradbook against Cobh Ramblers and end an inconsistent run which has seen them win just twice in their last six outings in the league.

Cabo boss Eddie Gormley will be hopeful of a positive response from his side as they look to put behind them a string of disappointing results. The Southsiders have been quite prolific in front of goal recently and managed to put five past the hapless Athlone Town in July, but have been let down by defensive frailties and have only managed a single clean sheet in the 2-0 home win over Waterford United. 

Cabinteely have little to play for at this stage of the season bar pride, but will look to consolidate their position above the bottom side Athlone Town and go where no SSE Airtricity First Division team has gone before this season and consign Limerick to their first league defeat of 2016.

Referee: Adriano Reale.

MATCH FACTS 

Limerick FC are currently in first place in the SSE Airtricity First Division on 56 points with 18 wins, two draws and no defeats from their 20 league games so far.

Cabinteely are in seventh place in the SSE Airtricity First Division on 12 points with three wins, three draws and 14 defeats from their 20 league matches.

The sides have met on two previous occasions this season with the Super Blues coming out on top both times without conceding a goal, winning 3-0 at the Market’s Field and 2-0 in Stradbrook.  

BETTING

Limerick FC 1/14 Draw 8/1 Cabinteely FC 25/1.

PREDICTION

Limerick FC 4-0 Cabinteely.

Limerick FC

Injuries: NA.

Doubtful: NA.

Suspended: NA.

Cabinteely FC

Injuries: NA.

Doubtful: NA.

Suspended: NA.