[Diomed]

Tonights Irish previews Premier Div


Preview: Bohemians v Longford Town

Bohemians and Longford Town will both be looking to improve their fortunes in front of goal as they meet in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland on Friday night at Dalymount Park. Longford's tally of six goals from nine games is one better than Bohs despite the Dublin club gaining eight more league points.

Bohs go into the game fifth although they could climb as high as third if they win. The Gypsies are unbeaten in nine games and advanced to the last eight of the League Cup with a straightforward if lifeless win over Shelbourne in midweek. Bohs goalscoring record is still their biggest concern despite their defence becoming rock solid. Bohs have failed to score now in five of their nine league games this year - six league clean-sheets has helped them to the best defensive record in the top flight.

Longford are still struggling second from bottom just one point ahead of Waterford. Conceding twelve goals from nine games is also amongst the worst defensive records in the top flight - again only just better than Waterford.

Harpal Singh, Dean Pooley and Fergal Harkin remain on Bohs injury list with Mark Rossiter also likely to miss out. Dessie Byrne though could return after injury.

Having exited at the First Round stage, Longford were one of the few Premier Division clubs without the distraction of a League Cup game this week although with the current weakness of their squad they can't afford to be playing too many games.

League form for Bohemians : DDDDW
League form for Longford Town : DDWDL

Previous meeting(s) : Longford Town 3-0 Bohemians (04/11/2006)
Bohemians 0-1 Longford Town (04/08/2006)
Longford Town 3-1 Bohemians (06/05/2006)
Bohemians 1-0 Longford Town (04/11/2005)
Longford Town 1-0 Bohemians (06/08/2005)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Home win.

Preview: UCD v St. Patrick's Athletic

UCD host Saint Patrick's Athletic at Belfield Park on Friday night as they clubs meet for a second time this week. UCD won Monday's low key League Cup game at the Saints home in Inchicore. Both sides are likely to see changes ahead of Friday night's Premier Division game.

UCD won that Monday afternoon game 1-0 with an early penalty although sides had made a number of changes to their usual line-ups.

UCD are unbeaten in seven games, five in the league. Since losing to a late goal in Sligo on April Fool's Day, UCD have kept four clean-sheets including a win away to Derry in that five game unbeaten league run. UCD are currently sixth and could rise to fourth if results go their way over the weekend.

The Saints have hit a sticky patch of form recently although having gone thirteen games unbeaten at the start of the year, three defeats in four games is not the end of the world. They did lose their unbeaten league record last time out - losing to another penalty in Cork and they have had penalties awarded against them in five of their last six games. Despite that loss at Turner's Cross, Pats retained their leadership of the League of Ireland after Drogheda slipped up on Friday night. Now with the Drogs not playing again in the league until a visit to Inchicore on 21st May, the Saints will be looking to extend their lead at the top to four points.

The Saints will be back to near full strength with Darragh Maguire set to slot in for the suspended Stephen Paisley in defence. Michael Foley again looks set to miss out injured.

Paul Byrne, Brian King and Pat McWalter could all remain out injured for the Students.

League form for UCD : DDWWW
League form for St. Patricks Athletic : LWWDW

Previous meeting(s) : St. Patricks Athletic 0-1 UCD (07/05/2007)
UCD 0-0 St. Patricks Athletic (08/09/2006)
St. Patricks Athletic 0-0 UCD (23/06/2006)
UCD 0-1 St. Patricks Athletic (17/03/2006)
St. Patricks Athletic 0-0 UCD (14/10/2005)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Away win.

Preview: Waterford United v Galway United

Waterford United host Galway United at the RSC on Friday night with both sides looking to build on recent revivals. Waterford halted a six game losing streak in the league with two draws in their last two games while Galway have picked up six of their seven total points in their last four games.

Waterford lost out to Cobh in the League Cup during the week but will still be looking to build on Friday's impressive draw with Drogheda United. A last minute equaliser earned the Blues their second successive point after a draw in Sligo the previous week.

Galway may have slipped to a League Cup defeat at the hands of Derry in the Brandywell during the week but their form has improved hugely in recent weeks. They drew with the Candystripes at Terryland Park last weekend and have also drawn away games with Cork City and Bohemians this year.

Dean Delaney, Pat Flynn, Shane Harte, David Breen and Vinny Sullivan were all rested from Waterford's starting line-up for the Cobh game with just Sullivan featuring as a substitute. They all return for Friday's game with Stephen Cooling being their only problem. The midfielder is again struggling with an ankle injury and is expected to miss out.

Waterford boss Gareth Cronin is keen to put Tuesday night's loss behind them but expects a tough challenge from Galway, "It was very disappointing to lose on Tuesday night but we have to put that behind us and get back to focussing on the league. We have continued to show improvement in our games and last Friday's result against Drogheda was well deserved. We just have to keep building on these results but I have no doubt it won't be easy against Galway. It is a vital game so we have to put the Cobh result out of our minds."

Galway manager Tony Cousins is worried what impact this week's travelling may have on his squad, "We travelled up to Derry early last Tuesday and booked into a hotel so the players could get some rest in the afternoon. We will take the same approach on Friday. We will leave early, get some lunch and rest in the afternoon.

"Training was not as intense this week and the players spent time in the pool before the training on the pitch. We are really looking forward to our next game and we are looking to build upon our recent performances", added Cousins

Galway again play without Alan Keane and Chris Armstrong. Alan Murphy continues to struggle with a calf strain while Stephen O'Flynn is struggling with a groin strain and may face a late fitness test.

Friday's meeting marks the first competitive game between the sides in almost five years. The last meeting saw Waterford win 1-0 in December 2002 - with Vinny Sullivan scoring the only goal. The game at Terryland Park that year ended 0-0.

League form for Waterford United : DDLLL
League form for Galway United : DWDDL

IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Draw.