Dundalk vs Waterford United - prediction, team news, lineups

Hoping to ascent into the Irish Premier Division's European places, Dundalk volition invited bottom-of-the-table Waterford United to Oriel Park connected Friday.

The Lilywhites could marque it 5 wins from six this week, portion the Blues volition beryllium hopeless to debar back-to-back defeats.

Match preview

Ciaran Kilduff's Dundalk are enjoying an fantabulous run aft earning promotion from the First Division arsenic champions past season, and 3 points would springiness their ambitions a large boost.

The Lilywhites caput into this clash successful good form, having travel from down to beat top-three rivals Bohemians 2-1 past Friday, courtesy of goals from Danny Mullen and Eoin Kenny either broadside of fractional time.

That triumph marked a 3rd connected the bounce for Kilduff's team, and extended their undefeated tally to 5 games - a agelong that goes backmost to a 1-0 triumph implicit Shamrock Rovers connected May 15.

Winning past clip retired has Dundalk fourth, wherever their 35-point full puts the nine conscionable 2 down third-placed Bohs successful the contention for Conference League football.

Additionally, 2 location wins during the Lilywhites' caller tally has done overmuch to allay immoderate fears that fans whitethorn person had aft seeing their broadside suffer doubly astatine Oriel Park successful aboriginal May.

Meanwhile, Waterford person struggled successful 2025 and are the favourites for relegation fixed they beryllium astatine the bottommost of the heap with 15 games to play.

Former Newport County manager Graham Coughlan took the reins past month, and portion helium has lone overseen 2 wins truthful far, determination are signs of beingness fixed that the nine person mislaid conscionable 2 of their past six matches.

The Blues were 9 points down ninth-placed Sligo Rovers erstwhile the 51-year-old walked done the doors, but they are present 5 disconnected their relegation rivals.

That simplification successful the shortage was mostly acknowledgment to a landmark 4-0 thrashing of Sligo connected June 12, a connection triumph that saw ex-Newport prima striker Padraig Amond people a brace.

However, a showdown with the Premier Division's signifier squad connected Friday could beryllium a span excessively acold for Waterford, who were downed 2-0 by top-of-the-table Shamrock Rovers past week.

Dundalk League of Ireland Premier form:

Waterford United League of Ireland Premier form:

Team News

Dundalk volition beryllium lighter than perfect successful onslaught this week without wingers Declan McDaid, who is suspended aft being sent disconnected against Bohemians connected June 19, and Norman Garbett, who is closing successful connected a instrumentality from a large hamstring injury.

In their absence, Eoin Kenny and Daryl Horgan could commencement retired wide as portion of a trio featuring Ronan Teahan down striker Daniel Mullen.

At the other extremity of the pitch, goalkeeper Conor Kearns remains sidelined with a genu injury, portion centre-backs Mayowa Animasahun and Conor O'Keeffe are moving their mode into contention aft much than a period retired apiece.

With that successful mind, expect to see Enda Minogue commencement betwixt the sticks connected Friday, shielded by a pairing of Robert Cornwall and Bobby Burns astatine the bosom of Kilduff's defence.

As for Waterford, they are missing near wing-back Finlay Armstrong owed to a musculus injury, though Benny Couto should beryllium connected manus to run connected the near flank.

In the centre of the park, Evan McLaughlin has missed the past 7 games with a ft injury, but manager Coughlan could crook to Conan Noonan, Dean McMenamy and the versatile Will Johnson to signifier his midfield three.

Dundalk imaginable starting lineup:

Minogue; Buckley, Cornwall, Burns, Wilson; Dervin, Tracey; Kenny, Teahan, Horgan; Mullen

Waterford United imaginable starting lineup:

McMullan; Houston, Cann, Mahon, Long, Couto; Noonan, Johnson, McMenamy; Lonergan, Amond

We say: Dundalk 3-1 Waterford United

Dundalk volition beryllium assured coming up against the league's bottommost side, fixed they caput into this clash with a tally of 3 wins connected the bounce.

Waterford person shown signs of a turnaround nether Coughlan, but they are improbable to beryllium capable to withstand the European hopefuls connected Friday.

For information investigation of the astir apt results, scorelines and much for this lucifer delight click here.