Waterford United -v- SD Galway

WATERFORD UNITED

Waterford United are the form side in the Airtricity League First Division. Winning six of their last six games, the Suirsiders will feel confident coming into this tie with basement side SD Galway.

Last week saw another fantastic win over title favourites Limerick FC at the RSC; their third win in three over Lims this campaign. From what seemed a rather lengthy distance to be behind the top two no more than four weeks ago, Waterford are only four points behind Limerick, and with the form United find themselves in, they could easily push to win this division yet.

Following their win against Munster rivals Limerick, manager Paul O’Brien was in great spirits. "That certainly was not a game for the faint hearted. Every player ran his socks off, so much so that I did not have the heart to take anyone off to be honest. We were a little nervous and flat-footed during the first half tonight I must admit. During the break I told them to believe in themselves more, and during the second half we proved that we are the best footballing side in this division. I thought Peter White was going to run out the gate when he scored against his former club. Dylan Mernagh also scored with a fantastic header and to see the goals being spread out between a lot of players is really pleasing.

“Limerick threw three players forward when we went in front, but our back four were magnificent. They then brought on Jeffrey Judge, but we handled his presence also. I keep saying it week in, week out, but the next game is the most important game for us, and now all of our thoughts will turn to SD Galway. Of course we are right back in the promotion race, but we will not be looking beyond Galway.''

Waterford will be without the services of Daragh Walshe, Gary Dunphy, Willie John Kiely and Ben Ryan while Gary Dempsey and Paul Phelan should shrug off their knocks in time to play.

SD GALWAY

It’s not easy being SD Galway lately. Tony Mannion is rightly up against it, and morale is always low when you’re fighting for survival. Devon will have to pull off a massive shock in order to leave the RSC with anything.

Despite being bottom, their recent form has slightly improved. SD have picked up four points from their last three games, including a 2-1 win over city rivals Mervue United. In their most recent encounter, a last minute equaliser earned them a well deserved point against Wexford Youths.

Being an affectively new entity, survival is the only thing SD Galway will be focused on, and with the gap currently only being a point, it seems a very feasible goal indeed.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer.

MATCH STATS

Gary Dempsey is United's current top goal-scorer against SD Galway, with a goal in both games played so far this year.

In the eight games between the sides to date, only one penalty has been awarded, scored by Paul McCarthy in June 2010.

Adam McSherry's second goal in the 4-0 home win in June 2011 was one of the fastest in Blues history, scored just 27 seconds after the restart from United's third goal, scored by Paul Murphy.

BETTING

Waterford 2/9; Draw 17/4; SD Galway 10/1.

PREDICTION

2-0 to the home side.

Waterford United Injury News: Daragh Walshe, Willie John Kiely, Gary Dunphy, Ben Ryan.

Waterford United Suspension News: None.

SD Galway Injury News: Mikey Gilmore, Colm Horgan, Brian Gaffney.

SD Galway Suspension News: None.